Admiral Swaminathan Assumes Command as FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan Takes Charge of Western Naval Command
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, a distinguished officer of the Indian Navy, has taken charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command (WNC) on July 31, 2020.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, Vice Admiral Swaminathan specializes in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He has a rich and diverse career spanning over three decades, during which he has commanded five frontline warships and held several key operational, staff, and training appointments.
In his early career, Vice Admiral Swaminathan commanded missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, India’s largest carrier and flagship. His command of INS Vikramaditya is particularly significant, with deployments in major maritime exercises asserting India’s naval strength in the Arabian Sea.
Before assuming the role of FOC-in-C, Vice Admiral Swaminathan held several key positions. He was the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, where he played a crucial role in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team. As the Flag Officer Sea Training, he headed naval work-up and operational readiness. He also served as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, leading India’s primary naval fighting formation.
Vice Admiral Swaminathan's educational qualifications are impressive. He holds a BSc from Jawaharlal Nehru University, an MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, an MA in Defence Studies from King’s College London, an MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University, and a PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Vice Admiral Swaminathan has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). He succeeds Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, who retired after four decades of service in the Indian Navy.
Upon taking charge, Vice Admiral Swaminathan paid homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the Nation at the Gaurav Stambh, Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
Under Vice Admiral Swaminathan's leadership, the Western Naval Command is poised to continue its role as one of the Navy’s most important operational commands, maintaining India's naval strength and readiness in the Arabian Sea.
The distinguished officer, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, after a career focusing on operational, staff, and training roles, will leverage his extensive business and leadership skills for the finance-related affairs of the Western Naval Command. Vice Admiral Swaminathan's impressive educational background, including studies in telecommunications and strategic studies, will aid in formulating strategic financial decisions for the Command, ensuring its continued strength and readiness in the Arabian Sea.
