Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi to take over as next Naval chief

Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi to take over as next Naval chief

Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, will be the next Chief of the Naval Staff, it was officially announced on Friday.

Vice Admiral Tripathi will take the charge from incumbent Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar when the latter demits office on April 30.

Born on May 15, 1964, Vice Admiral Tripathi was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy on July 1, 1985. A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, he has had a long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years. Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, he had served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

He has commanded Indian Naval Ships Vinash, Kirch and Trishul. He has also held various important operational and staff appointments which include Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet; Director of Naval Operations; Principal Director, Network Centric Operations and Principal Director, Naval Plans at New Delhi.

As a Rear Admiral, he has served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) and the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has served as Commandant of the prestigious Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala; Director General of Naval Operations; Chief of Personnel and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Vice Admiral Tripathi has undergone courses at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Naval Higher Command Course, Karanja and Naval Command College at the United States Naval War College, USA.