Navy will maintain highest level of operational readiness, combat effectiveness: Admiral Swaminathan after taking charge

NEW DELHI: After taking charge as Navy chief on Sunday, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan emphasised the importance of 'JAI' – jointness, atmanirbharata (self-reliance) and indigenisation, and reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the Indian Navy maintains the highest level of operational readiness and combat effectiveness for protecting the nation's security and economic interests.Admiral Swaminathan took charge from Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who bid farewell to the military service earlier in the day. He also laid wreaths at the National War Memorial to pay homage to those who laid down their lives on the line of duty.The new Navy chief said, “Being selected by the top leadership of the country for this job has been the highest honour and privilege of my life, and I'm extremely grateful to have this opportunity to serve the Indian Navy and the nation in this capacity.

It shall be my highest priority to ensure that the Indian Navy maintains the highest level of operational readiness and combat effectiveness so that it can protect the nation's security and economic interests wherever they can be.

”“The Indian Navy is well set on a course of capability enhancement and modernisation. It shall be my endeavour to sustain the growth momentum of the Navy, consolidate all ongoing programs, scale up where required, and sharpen our operational capabilities through the induction of niche and emerging technologies as soon as I can,” he said.

“I'm extremely grateful to have this opportunity to work with the men and women of the Indian Navy, whom I consider the finest professionals anywhere in the world. Their welfare, well-being, professional performance, and personal growth shall be of the highest importance to me, and I shall remain invested in that very sincerely in the days to come,” he said.Expressing gratitude to Admiral Tripathi for his “highly meritorious and illustrious service” to the nation, Admiral Swaminathan said, “He has been an extremely effective CNS, led us very successfully, and given us the benefit of his guidance and vision at every turn.

On behalf of a grateful Navy, I wish him the very best as he transits to a new phase of his life.”“I will devote every single day of my life to making the Navy a better, stronger, sharper, and more impactful service so that it can serve the interests of national security, national development, and national economic prosperity to the best of its ability,” the new Navy chief said.Admiral Swaminathan’s sea commands include the guided missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, guided missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi. He was subsequently appointed as Flag Officer Sea Training and later commanded the Western Fleet, the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy.

Subsequently, he was appointed as Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Govt of India.On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, he tenanted the appointments of Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command; and Controller Personnel Services, Chief of Personnel and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters. Prior to assuming charge as the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Swaminathan was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the prestigious Western Naval Command.