In the wake of the then Vice Admiral, Sunil Lanba taking over as the Chief of Naval Staff, there has been a major shuffle in the appointments of the Indian Navy.
The Southern Naval Command, which was earlier headed by Admiral Sunil Lanba was taken over by Vice-Admiral A R Karve as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief. He will succeed Vice Admiral Girish Luthra who has been appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Chief of Personnel at IHQ MoD (Navy), at Delhi.
Here is what you need to know about Vice-Admiral A R Karve, FOC-in-C, SNC:
- Vice-Admiral A R Karve is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1st July 1980.
- The Flag Officer, a native of Maharashtra, arrived in Kochi on 29th May to witness a ceremonial parade which was followed by the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ ceremony.
- After his initial sea appointments, he completed his specialization in Anti-Submarine Warfare in 1986 and has served onboard various frontline fleet ships with rich experience of 35 years.
- He has been commissioning crew of INS Viraat (ex-HMS Hermes, the aircraft carrier) and has undergone training at the UK.
- As Captain, he commanded the aircraft carrier INS Viraat and the guided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay.
- His other Commands at sea include command of the frigate INS Dunagiri and the ASW patrol vessel INS Ajay.
- He also had held key positions like Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (Western Fleet), Command Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (Western Naval Command) and Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command.
- He has also served as an instructor in Anti-Submarine Warfare School, Kochi and as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington. He is a graduate of DSSC Wellington and has completed the Naval Higher Command Course from College of Naval Warfare at Mumbai.
- He is also a post graduate in National Security and Strategy from the National Defence University, Washington DC (USA).
- He also had served as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet and the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Information Warfare & Operations).
- He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2013 for his distinguished service.
