In a ceremonial handover held at INS Satavahana, Commodore Dhiraj Khanna officially assumed command from Commodore Rajat Nagpal. Located in Visakhapatnam, INS Satavahana serves as the Indian Navy’s premier submarine training establishment and plays a crucial role in shaping India’s undersea warfare capabilities.
The ceremony featured a disciplined parade of naval personnel and the traditional exchange of insignia, symbolizing continuity and professionalism in the Navy’s submarine arm. Commodore Khanna, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, brings a wealth of experience in submarine operations, training, and administration.
Since its commissioning on December 21, 1974, INS Satavahana has grown into a world-class training hub. It houses the Submarine School, the Escape Training School, and the School of Advanced Undersea Warfare, which was established in 2006 to train personnel for advanced platforms such as the Arihant-class nuclear submarines. A major enhancement came in September 2024 with the commissioning of the Kalvari Submarine Escape Training Facility. This state-of-the-art center includes a five-meter vertical escape tower, allowing realistic underwater escape simulations to enhance crew survival skills.
With Commodore Dhiraj Khanna now at the helm, INS Satavahana is set to further its legacy of training highly skilled submariners and contributing to India’s growing maritime strength.
