He will take over on November 30 when
incumbent Admiral Karambir Singh retires
from service.
Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar, presently Flag
Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western
Naval Command, has been appointed as the next
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He will take over
on November 30 when incumbent Admiral
Karambir Singh retires from service.
The Government has appointed Vice Admiral R.
Hari Kumar presently FOC-in-C Western Naval
Command as the next CNS with effect from the
afternoon of November 30, 2021,” a Defence
Ministry statement said.
Vice Admiral Kumar graduated from J-squadron,
61 Course National Defence Academy in
December 1981 and was commissioned into the
Executive Branch of the Navy on January 1 , 1983.
During a career spanning nearly 39 years, he has
served in a variety of Command, Staff and
Instructional appointments.
Vice Admiral Kumar’s Sea Command includes
Coast Guard Ship C-01, INS Nishank, Missile
Corvette, INS Kora and Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir.
He also commanded aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
He also served as Fleet Operations Officer of the
Western Fleet.
First Vice Chief of Defence Staff
Before taking over as FOC-in-C Western Naval
Command, he was the Chief of Integrated
Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff
Committee (CISC) and in that capacity the first
Vice Chief of Defence Staff, as the position is
now referred to, awaiting formal notification,
post creation of the institution of Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS) and Department of Military
Affairs (DMA), where he played a key role in its
setting up and operationalisation.