Mumbai, May 30: Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan on Saturday assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the crucial Western Naval Command.
He took over from Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who will assume charge as the next Navy chief from May 31.
Prior to his appointment as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, Vatsayan served as 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at the naval headquarters, responsible for capability development and future readiness of the Indian Navy, a statement said.
An alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, the Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1988.
A specialist in gunnery and missile systems, he has held a wide range of command, operational, staff and training assignments, both afloat and ashore, during his distinguished naval career spanning more than three decades, the statement added.
Vatsayan has served onboard various frontline warships, including command of Coast Guard ship C-05, missile vessels INS Vibhuti and Nashak, missile corvette INS Kuthar and guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri.
A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Naval War College, Goa and the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi, he has excelled in key strategic and policy-oriented staff roles, the statement said.
He has discharged staff assignments in the Personnel and Plans directorates at Naval Headquarters, including that of the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) on promotion to Flag rank.
He thereafter commanded the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, and served as the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy and Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, the statement said.
He has also served as Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (DCIDS) – Operations and DCIDS (Policy, Plans and Force Development) at HQIDS, playing a key role in coordination of operations, enhancing integration, jointness, force development and framing policies promoting indigenisation in the three Services.
Vatsayan is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Nao Sena Medal.
