**Policy Summary:**
Effective July 31, 2025, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, has assumed the position of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM, who retired after 40 years of service. Upon assuming command, VAdm Swaminathan paid respects at the Gaurav Stambh, Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
VAdm Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, specializing in Communication and Electronic Warfare. His education includes attendance at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
Throughout his career, he has held key operational, staff, and training appointments, including command of missile vessels Vidyut and Vinash, the missile corvette Kulish, the guided missile destroyer Mysore, and the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya. As Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer Training at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, and played a role in establishing the Indian Naval Safety Team. He later headed the WorkUp Organisation of the Navy as the Flag Officer Sea Training and served as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India. Prior to his appointment as FOCINC West, he served as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at NHQ.
VAdm Swaminathan holds a BSc from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; an MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; an MA in Defence Studies from Kings College, London; an MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University; and a PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.
Key Entities Referenced
Krishna Swaminathan: Vice Admiral and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Western Naval Command: A command of the Indian Navy.
Sanjay J Singh: Vice Admiral, former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Indian Navy: The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
Naval Dockyard, Mumbai: A naval dockyard located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla: A joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, located in Khadakwasla, Maharashtra.
Southern Naval Command, Kochi: A command of the Indian Navy, located in Kochi, Kerala.
New Delhi: Location of Naval Headquarters
Ministry of Defence
VICE ADMIRAL KRISHNA SWAMINATHAN, AVSM,
VSM TAKES OVER AS THE FLAG OFFICER
COMMANDING-IN-CHIEF, WESTERN NAVAL
COMMAND
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 7:52PM by PIB Delhi
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-
Chief, Western Naval Command on 31 Jul 2025. He succeeds Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, PVSM,
AVSM, NM who superannuated after four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Navy. On assuming
charge, VAdm Swaminathan paid homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the
Nation at the Gaurav Stambh, Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1987 and is a specialist in
Communication and Electronic Warfare. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy,
Khadakwasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the
College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island,
USA.
A recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Flag Officer has held several key
operational, staff and training appointments in his naval career including the command of missile vessels
Vidyut and Vinash, the missile corvette Kulish, the guided missile destroyer Mysore and the aircraft carrier
Vikramaditya.
On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters,
Southern Naval Command, Kochi and played a key role in the conduct of training across the Indian Navy. He
was also instrumental in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all
verticals of the Navy. He then went on to head the Work-Up Organisation of the Navy as the Flag Officer Sea
Training after which he was privileged to be appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet. After
commanding the Sword Arm, he was appointed as the Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and
Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India.
On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the Flag Officer discharged the responsibilities of Chief of Staff of
the Western Naval Command in Mumbai and Controller of Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at the
Naval Headquarters, New Delhi. Prior to his current assignment as FOCINC West, he served as the Vice
Chief of the Naval Staff at NHQ.
VAdm Krishna Swaminathan’s educational qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru
University, New Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology,
Kochi; MA in Defence Studies from King’s College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai
University; and PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University._____________________________________________________________
VM/SKY 146/25(Release ID: 2150996)