International Desk

Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, will be the new chief of the Indian Navy from 30 April, the Defence Ministry announced on Friday.

Tripathi, now serving as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, will succeed the incumbent chief Admiral R Hari Kumar who retires from service on 30 April.

Born on 15 May 1964, Tripathi was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy on 1 July 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.

Tripathi has commanded Indian navy ships Vinash, Kirch, and Trishul and also held various key 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 in 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, 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.