Dinesh K Tripathi assumes command of the Indian Navy, succeeds Admiral R Hari Kumar
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi with Admiral R Hari Kumar (image: Indian Navy)
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumed command of the Indian Navy on 30 April 2024 as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff. He succeeds Admiral R Hari Kumar, upon superannuation, after an illustrious career in the Indian Navy. Admiral Tripathi was the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, prior to taking over the new position.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He was commissioned on July 1, 1985 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. Adm Tripathi’s Sea Commands include INS Vinash, Kirch and Trishul. During his career spanning nearly 40 years, he has held various important appointments, which include Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet at Mumbai, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director Network Centric Operations and Principal Director of Naval Plans at New Delhi.
His predecessor on the post, Admiral R Hari Kumar, is an alumnus of J-Squadron, 61 Course National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Jan 1, 1983 and has specialised in Gunnery. He passes on the role to Admiral Tripathi.
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A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, Admiral Tripathi has served on frontline warships of the Navy as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai.
On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at NHQ and as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, he has served as Commandant of the prestigious Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala, Director General of Naval Operations, Chief of Personnel and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command at Mumbai.
Adm Dinesh K Tripathi has undergone courses at Signal School, Kochi, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Naval Higher Command Course, Karanja and Naval Command College at the United States Naval War College, United States of America.