Admiral Sunil Lanba took charge as the Chief of Naval Staff in New Delhi as the current CNS Admiral R.K.Dhowan retired after four decade of service. On May 6, 2016, the government appointed Lanba, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command as the Chief of Naval Staff. Admiral Lanba, 58, is a qualified specialist in navigation and direction course and will have a full three-year-term in office till May 31, 2019.

In a service spanning nearly 38 years, Admiral Lanba has served in a variety of Command, operational and staff appointments. He has commanded four frontline warships — INS Kakinada (minesweeper), INS Himgiri (frigate) and destroyers INS Ranvijay and INS Mumbai.

Admiral Lanba is a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Athi Vishist Seva Medal for distinguished service of an exceptionally high order.

Vice Admiral AR Karve takes charge of Southern Naval Command

Vice-Admiral A R Karve today took charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) from Vice Admiral Girish Luthra. In his farewell address Vice Admiral Luthra appreciated the synergy that exists in the Southern Naval Command and said without it operations and training cannot be successful.

Vice Admiral Girish Luthra has been appointed Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command.