Indian Navy Gets New Vice Chief

• Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumes charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff
• Paid tribute to fallen soldiers at National War Memorial
• Veteran officer has over 37 years of naval service
• Previously served as Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th May: Ajay Kochhar on Friday assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS), marking a new chapter in a distinguished naval career spanning more than 37 years.

After taking charge, Vice Admiral Kochhar paid homage to the nation’s fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1988. A specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems, he has held several key command, operational and strategic appointments during his career.

He has commanded INS Nashak, INS Vibhuti and INS Kirpan, and served as the commissioning commanding officer of INS Trikand.

Among his most notable assignments was commanding the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, during which its air wing was successfully integrated and operationalised.

Vice Admiral Kochhar is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the Naval War College and the Royal College of Defence Studies. At Naval Headquarters, he held several important appointments, including Joint Director (Naval Plans), Director of Staff Requirements and Principal Director DSCT.

Promoted to Flag Rank in 2018, he subsequently served as Assistant Controller of Carrier Projects and Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. He later commanded the Western Fleet in 2021 and served as Commandant of the National Defence Academy.

In May 2024, he took over as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command and led naval operations in a challenging maritime security environment, including high-tempo missions during Operation Sindoor.

For his distinguished service, Kochhar was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.

Before assuming his new role, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, where he played a significant role in enhancing joint operational coordination among the armed forces.

Vice Admiral Kochhar is married to Reyman Kochhar, an artist with experience in advertising and education. The couple has two children.