Team Blitz India
New Delhi: Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi took over as the new Chief of the Naval Staff on April 30, succeeding Admiral R Hari Kumar. Talking to reporters after assuming the charge, Admiral Tripathi said, “Over the years, the Navy has evolved into a combat-ready force.
The existing and emerging challenges in the maritime domain mandate that the Indian Navy should always remain operationally ready to deter potential adversaries at sea in peace, and to win the war at and from the sea when asked to do so. This will remain my singular focus and endeavour.”
He added that another priority would be to strengthen the ongoing efforts of the Navy towards Atmanirbharta and introducing new technologies. In the new role, Admiral Tripathi will also spearhead the Navy’s modernisation with a sharp focus on indigenisation — the Navy is working on becoming fully self-reliant by 2047 when India celebrates 100 years of independence.
Admiral Tripathi takes over the reins of the Navy at a time when Indian warships are extensively deployed in the Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas, Arabian Sea, and off the east coast of Somalia, amid the continuing attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates that have disrupted sea trade in the region. Admiral Tripathi has served as the Flag Officer Commanding-inChief, Western Naval Command.
A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, he has served on frontline warships of the Navy as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer, and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai. He commanded the Indian naval ships Vinash, Kirch and Trishul. Admiral Tripathi is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Nausena Medal for devotion to duty.
