Mumbai: Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh Assumes Command as FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command
Mubarak Ansari
Mumbai, 3rd January 2024: In a grand Ceremonial Parade held at INS Shikra, Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, AVSM, NM, officially assumed the role of Flag Officer Commanding–in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command (WNC), succeeding Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM. The handover ceremony also saw Vice Admiral Singh paying tribute to fallen personnel at the Gaurav Stambh – Victory at Sea Memorial in Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
Before taking the helm as FOC-in-C of WNC, Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh served as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi. A seasoned naval officer, Vice Admiral Singh’s career spans 37 years, marked by diverse appointments, commands, and strategic roles.
A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune, Vice Admiral Singh was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy in 1986. Throughout his illustrious career, he has served on various class of ships, holding key positions such as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Communications, Space and Network-Centric Operations (CSNCO)), Flag Officer Sea Training, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Commandant Naval War College, and Controller Personnel Services and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).
His contributions extend beyond operational roles, as he played a pivotal role in drafting critical maritime documents for the Indian Navy, including the Maritime Doctrine in 2009, Strategic Guidance to Transformation in 2015, and the Indian Maritime Security Strategy in 2015.
Specializing in Navigation and Direction in 1992, Vice Admiral Singh underwent the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the UK in 2000. He further honed his strategic acumen through the Naval Higher Command Course in 2009 at Naval War College, Mumbai, and the National Security Strategy Course in 2012 at the National Defence College, Delhi.
Academically accomplished, he holds an MSc and MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University, an MA in Defence Studies from Kings College, London, and MA (History), MPhil (Pol), and PhD (Arts) from Mumbai University. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was honored with the Nau Sena Medal in 2009 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.
Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will succeed Vice Admiral Singh as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi.
