Navy gets a new chief in Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, first chopper pilot to head top office

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INDIA

Navy gets a new chief in Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, first chopper pilot to head top office

Singh was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980 and earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982. He has extensive experience in flying the HAL Chetak and Kamov Ka-25 helicopters.

Written by ABHISHEK, VIVEK SAHU |New Delhi |Updated: March 24, 2019 4:58:49 am

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh is at present the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. (File)

The government on Saturday named Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next chief of naval staff. Singh, who will succeed Admiral Sunil Lanba who retires on May 30, will be the first helicopter pilot to occupy the office of Navy chief.

Singh superseded Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, for the post. Verma, younger brother of former Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, hasn’t headed either the Western or the Eastern Naval command, which is considered essential for anyone to be considered for the top post.

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In 2016, the government had elevated General Bipin Rawat as Army chief, superseding two senior Army commanders. Though a new service chief is usually named around a month in advance, Singh’s name was announced with two months still to go for Lanba’s retirement. This, sources in the government said, was to ensure a smooth transition during the general elections. The announcement also lays to rest any uncertainty about the military hierarchy at a time when the country’s defence forces are in a heightened state of altertness post the Balakot air strike.