-Played a Key Role in Implementing Aggressive Forward Deployment During Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, May 29 (H.S.): Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, regarded as one of the key strategists behind Operation Sindoor, on Friday assumed charge as the new Vice Chief of the Naval Staff in New Delhi. He played a crucial role in implementing the aggressive forward deployment of critical naval assets during Operation Sindoor. Vice Admiral Kochhar succeeded Sanjay Vatsayan, who has been appointed as the next chief of the Western Naval Command. The Vice Admiral paid floral tributes to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial before being accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at South Block.

Vice Admiral Kochhar had led the Indian Navy’s high-level combat preparedness during Operation Sindoor. He formally took charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Indian Navy, bringing with him extensive frontline operational experience and strategic expertise from Naval Headquarters. Before assuming the Navy’s second-highest post, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Earlier, as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, he played a pivotal role in the aggressive forward deployment of key naval assets during Operation Sindoor.

An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy in Pune, Vice Admiral Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1988. A specialist in gunnery and missile systems, he has held a wide range of command, operational, and staff appointments during his distinguished career spanning more than 37 years.

He has commanded the warships INS Nashak, INS Vibhuti, and INS Kirpan, and also served as the commissioning Commanding Officer of the frigate INS Trikand. He later commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, during whose tenure the carrier successfully completed the integration and operationalisation of its air wing.

According to the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Kochhar is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the Naval War College, and the Royal College of Defence Studies. He has served with distinction in several strategic and policy-oriented staff appointments at Naval Headquarters.

After being promoted to Flag Rank in 2018, he served as Assistant Controller of Career Projects and later as Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. In 2021, he took command of the Western Fleet before later serving as Commandant of the National Defence Academy, where he focused extensively on enhancing training standards and infrastructure development.

Amid challenging security conditions in the western maritime region, the Flag Officer assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command on May 25, 2024. The Navy stated that he led the command’s response to both conventional and non-conventional threats along the western seaboard, including high-tempo naval operations during Operation Sindoor.

In recognition of his distinguished leadership and exemplary service, Vice Admiral Kochhar was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026. During his tenure as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, he also played a significant role in enhancing operational coordination, tri-services integration, and jointness among the armed forces.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar