Vice Admiral Karambir Singh appointed as Next Navy Chief; Becomes First Helicopter Pilot to Occupy Office

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh Nijjer has been appointed the next chief of Indian Navy. He will succeed Admiral Sunil Lanba, who superannuates on May 31 this year. The announcement was done by Defence Ministry on Saturday. Interestingly, Vice Admiral Karambir Singh will be the first naval helicopter pilot to head the force.

It is to be noted that Karambir Singh Nijjer is the current Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Unified Command at Andaman & Nicobar Islands and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG).

Ministry of Defence issues correction, "Government appoints Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba will vacate the office on 31 May 2019." pic.twitter.com/eEYPtQfNGZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2019

He was born on November 03, 1959. An alumnus of National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Karambir Singh Nijjer had commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and has served as Directing Staff in both these Institutions.

In his career spanning over 37 years, he has been awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Param Vishist Seva Medal (2018) for his service. He has commanded various ships, such as an Indian Coast Guard Ship Chandbibi, Missile Corvette INS Vijaydurg as well as two Guided Missile Destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi.

Nijjer has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. The Admiral has served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff, and as Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He has also served a member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS).

His father, a retired Wing Commander of the IAF, died last year and the family has long resided in New Delhi.

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