On Tuesday Admiral Sunil Lanba took over as the New Chief of Naval Staff, as the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan retired from the service. He vowed to ensure that the maritime domain of the country will be safe and secure under his surveillance.

Lanba is the 21st Indian to be the Navy Chief. Born on July 17, 1957; Sunil Lanba was commissioned on January 1, 1978 into the Executive Branch of Indian Navy. He attended the course at the Royal College of Defense Studies of the U.K. He is married to Reena Lanba and the couple has a son and two daughters. He is specialist in Navigation and Direction. During his long journey of 38 years, he has served in a variety of command, operational and staff appointments. He has served as Navigating Officer of corvette INS Sindhudurg and frigate INS Dunagiri. He has commanded four frontline warships – INS Kakinada (minesweeper), INS Himgiri (frigate) and INS Ranvijay and INS Mumbai, both destroyers. He is an alumnus of Defense Services Staff College. Lanba was Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) in Western Naval Command. He has also held key staff assignments such as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western. He was FOC-in-C, Southern Naval Command, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff and Commandant, National Defense College. He is a receiver of Param Vishist Seva Medal and Ati Vishist Seva Medal.

On this honorary occasion, he said, “It is indeed an honor and a privilege for me to take over the command of the Indian Navy, one of the finest in the world,” and added “The men and women who man the Navy are professionally trained, committed and patriotic and are committed to ensuring that our national interest are safeguarded anywhere, anytime and everywhere,”.