Admiral Karambir Singh assumed charge as the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff at a ceremony in the national capital today. The outgoing chief Admiral Sunil Lanba passed on the baton after serving three years as the head of the navy.
“The Navy is mission-ready to meet maritime security challenges. I am pleased to hand over my responsibilities to my very capable successor,” said Lanba.
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“Its a matter of great honour to take charge as the 24th Navy Chief. It is a matter of pride and respect for me. The Navy which already had a firm foundation was taken to newer heights by Admiral Sunil Lanba and I’ll endeavour to take it forward. I would like to thank Admiral Lanba and express my gratitude for his services to the Navy,” Admiral Singh said.
Admiral Singh who hails from Jalandhar was born on November 3, 1959. An alumnus of National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, he is also a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980, Admiral Singh has also served as Directing Staff in both these institutions.
A recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), he was appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff by the Narendra Modi government.
Admiral Singh earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982 and has extensively flown the Chetak and Kamov helicopters. In his career spanning nearly 37 years, he has commanded four ships including the Indian Coast Guard ship Chandbibi, missile corvette INS Vijaydurg, guided missile destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.
Ashore, he has served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff, as Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He was also the Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Unified Command at Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG).
As a Vice Admiral, he served as the Director General of Project Seabird looking after infrastructure development of the Navy’s modern base at Karwar.
Admiral Singh’s appointment was contested by Vice Admiral Bimal Verma who filed a case against him. However, The Armed Forces Tribunal on Wednesday deferred the case for four weeks.