Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumed command of the Indian Navy as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff on Monday. Tripathi succeeds Admiral R Hari Kumar who retired upon superannuation after a career spanning four decades.
Speaking after assuming the command, Admiral Tripathi said, "The existing and emerging challenges in the maritime domain mandate the Indian Navy to remain operationally ready to deter potential adversities at sea in peace and to 'win the war at sea' when asked to do so."
"That will remain my singular focus and endeavour."
The Chief of the Naval Staff also said that he will strengthen the ongoing efforts of the Indian Navy towards AatmaNirbhar Bharta and become an important pillar of the nation's development towards our collective quest for ' Viksit Bharat '.
Listing his priorities, the Admiral said he would focus on upskilling human resources and providing them with the best armament, training, professional environment and administrative support.
Who Is Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi?
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy on July 1, 1985.
A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, Admiral Tripathi has served on frontline warships of the Navy as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer. Later he served as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai.
His Sea Commands include INS Vinash, Kirch and Trishul.
He has held various important operational and staff appointments in the course of his career spanning nearly 40 years such as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet at Mumbai, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director of Network
Centric Operations and Principal Director Naval Plans at New Delhi.
After being promoted 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.
As 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 of Western Naval Command at
Mumbai.
Admiral Tripathi has undergone a series of courses including 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.
Before taking over the helm as Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Tripathi was the Vice Chief of Naval Staff.