Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi appointed as next Vice Chief of Naval Staff
Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi appointed as next Vice Chief of Naval Staff
The Government of India on Tuesday appointed Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi as the new Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Currently, at the helm of the Indian Navy’s Western Command headquartered in Mumbai, Vice Admiral Tripathi is set to assume his new responsibilities on January 4, 2024. The present Vice Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral SJ Singh, will be stepping into the role of the new Western Naval Commander.
Vice Admiral Tripathi has served in various prestigious roles, including Chief of Personnel at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy).
An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he joined the Indian Navy in July, 1985. Specialising in Communication and Electronic Warfare, Tripathi has held key roles on frontline warships, such as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer.
He has also served as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai. Notable commands include Indian naval ships including Vinash, Kirch, and Trishul.
Tripathi has also held various important operational and staff appointments, which include Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet at Mumbai, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director Network Centric Operations and Principal Director Naval Plans at New Delhi.
Following promotion to Rear Admiral, he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at IHQ MoD(N) and later as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
Promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral in June 2019, Vice Admiral Tripathi assumed the role of Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala. From July 2020 to May 2021, he served as the Director General of Naval Operations, steering the Navy through a period of heightened maritime activities despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Vice Admiral Tripathi received the Thimmaiya Medal. He also completed the Naval Higher Command Course and Naval Command College at the US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Islands in 2007-08, earning the prestigious Robert E Bateman International Prize.
Vice Admiral Tripathi is married to Mrs. Shashi Tripathi, an artist and homemaker, and the couple has one son, who is a practicing lawyer.
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