Admiral Swaminathan was serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan accorded a Guard of Honour during a ceremony marking his assumption of charge as India's new Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), in New Delhi (PTI)
New Delhi: In a major change in the country’s top military leadership, General N.S. Raja Subramani on Sunday took over as India’s third Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), while Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as the new Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
They took charge at a time of heightened global instability and against the backdrop of India’s conflict with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
General Subramani, regarded as a Pakistan and China front expert, succeeded General Anil Chauhan, who demitted office on Saturday after completing his tenure as the country’s senior-most military commander.
“I’m honoured to assume charge as the Chief of Defence Staff. We are grateful to the nation for the trust reposed in the Armed Forces. We, the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Ministry of Defence, strategic institutions and all stakeholders, stand united as part of the whole-of-nation approach to strengthen India’s security,” General Subramani said.
He said the armed forces were committed to implementing the Prime Minister’s vision of “JAI” — Jointness, Atma Nirbharta and Innovation.
“Transformation of the armed forces and organisational reforms to enhance jointness, synergy and integration will be the primary focus. Atma Nirbharta is a central pillar of our national security. We will accelerate the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapons in our armed forces,” the new CDS said.
As CDS, General Subramani’s primary task will be to implement the theatreisation model by rolling out integrated military commands.
General Subramani had retired as Vice Chief of the Army Staff on July 31, 2025. Before taking over as CDS, he was serving as Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat, which reports to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, from September 1, 2025.
He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985.
Meanwhile, Admiral Swaminathan assumed charge as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff. He succeeded Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who superannuated after 41 years of service.
“The Indian Navy is deeply committed to jointness, Atmanirbharata and indigenisation, and that will also be one of my key result areas. I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity to work with the men and women of the Indian Navy, whom I consider the finest professionals anywhere in the world. Their welfare, well-being, professional performance and personal growth shall be of the highest importance to me,” Admiral Swaminathan said.
“I will devote every single day of my life to making the Navy a better, stronger, sharper and more impactful service so that it can serve the interests of national security, national development and national economic prosperity to the best of its ability,” he added.
Admiral Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987. A communication and electronic warfare specialist, he has held several operational, staff and training appointments in a career spanning nearly four decades. His sea commands include the guided missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, guided missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
Before assuming charge as Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Swaminathan headed the Western Naval Command.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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