The Government on Tuesday appointed Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar as the next Navy chief after Admiral Karambir Singh retires on November 30. Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar is presently heading the Western Naval Command.
Born on April 12, 1962, Hari Kumar was commissioned on January 1, 1983, into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar’s Sea Command includes INS Nishank, Missile Corvette, INS Kora and Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir.
He also commanded Indian Navy’s Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat. He served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. Before taking over as Western Command chief, he was Chief of Integrated Staff Committee of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff(IDS).
Kumar has undergone courses at the Naval War College, US, Army War College, Mhow and Royal College of Defence Studies, UK. He has been decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal(VSM), defence ministry officials said.