Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, AVSM, NM assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Southern Naval Command (SNC) on 31 October 2025, succeeding Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, PVSM, AVSM, NM, who superannuated after an illustrious naval career spanning nearly four decades. The ceremonial handover took place at Naval Base Kochi, where both Flag Officers paid homage to the brave hearts at the SNC War Memorial, honouring those who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation.
A Distinguished Naval Career
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1989, Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena is a specialist in Navigation and Direction. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), Defence Services Staff College (Wellington), and the Naval War College (Newport, USA), the Flag Officer brings with him vast operational experience and strategic acumen.
Throughout his illustrious career, he has held several key operational, staff, and training appointments. As a non-specialist officer, he served onboard INS Ajay, INS Sukanya, and INS Akshay. As a Navigation specialist, he served on the Direction team of INS Viraat, and later as the Navigating Officer of INS Kuthar, INS Godavari, and INS Delhi, before becoming the Executive Officer of INS Mumbai.
Command and Leadership Roles
Vice Admiral Saxena’s command tenures include leading the Mauritian Coast Guard Ship Guardian, as well as INS Kulish and INS Mysore. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet, overseeing critical operational deployments.
Onshore, he has held several pivotal appointments, including Joint Director of Personnel, Principal Director Foreign Cooperation, and Naval Assistant to the Chief of the Naval Staff (2011–12). Between 2016 and 2019, he served as the Naval Adviser at the High Commission of India in London, strengthening India’s maritime diplomacy and foreign cooperation.
Promoted to Rear Admiral in February 2020, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans), where he played a key role in shaping the Navy’s long-term capability development, force structure, and acquisition planning. He subsequently commanded the Western Fleet from December 2021 to November 2022, and later served as Flag Officer Commanding, Gujarat Naval Area. Upon promotion to Vice Admiral on 1 August 2023, he took over as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, leading diverse operational and developmental initiatives.
Honours and Personal Life
A recipient of the Nausena Medal (2017) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), Vice Admiral Saxena has also been commended by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Commissioner of Police, Mauritius, for acts of gallantry at sea.
Vice Admiral Saxena is married to Mrs. Laboni Saxena, who has been actively associated with the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), contributing significantly to welfare initiatives for naval families.
As the new Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Saxena is poised to lead the Navy’s premier training command, furthering its mission of operational excellence, maritime safety, and professional development of naval personnel.
