In view of growing threats from the Pakistani side and constant skirmishes in the high sea, the Indian Navy has repositioned its top officers in Gujarat. A new post of Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area (FOGNA) has been created by splitting the post of Flag Officer Maharashtra and Gujarat to give special impetus to Gujarat, which has the largest coastline of 880 NM in the country.
On Thursday, Rear Admiral MS Pawar was appointed as the first Flag Officer of FOGNA. The Flag Officer will sit in Ahmedabad while his Commodore will be based in INS Sardar Patel, India’s latest Naval establishment in Porbandar. INS Sardar Patel was commissioned in May this year.
Given Gujarat’s proximity to Pakistan, the need for carving out a new post for the State was felt post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008 for increasing vigilance and better co-ordination and response at times of threat. Moreover, the State being a maritime hub due to high commercial activities taking place — majority of crude oil lands at Gujarat ports — positioning of a top officer will only give impetus to India’s thrust on Blue Economy. Besides, with the ship building industries setting up their bases in Gujarat and new ports coming in, there was a need felt to create a new billet in Gujarat. There will be a major Naval infrastructure coming up in Ahmedabad and Porbandar with about 300 housing dwellings for the Indian Navy staff and other projects.
Meanwhile, there were few other prominent changes in the top ranks of the Indian Navy on Friday. Rear Admiral Sanjay Mahindru took over as Flag Officer Submarines from Rear Admiral SV Bokhare. Commissioned on January 1, 1985 Mahindru has served 27 years in the Submarine Arm. He has commanded a conventional submarine, frigate and a destroyer prior assuming Command of nuclear submarine Arihant. Whilst serving ashore, the officer commanded the Navy’s Submarine Training Establishment and been a Director at Naval Headquarters. He is an alumnus of prestigious College of Naval Warfare and has also completed the Staff Course in the United Kingdom.
Among other appointments Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh took over as Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. The flag officer is presently Flag officer Naval Aviation (FONA) and Flag Officer Goa Area (FOGA). Rear Admiral Soonil V Bokhare has been appointed as FOCEF (Flag Officer commanding Eastern Fleet). He was Flag officer Submarines (FOSM) till Thursday. Rear Admiral Hari Kumar is the new Chief of Staff Headquarters Western Naval Command while Rear Admiral S.N. Ghormade took over as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra area. Rear Admiral Nadkarni has been appointed as Flag Officer Commanding Karwar.