Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, took charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) of the Indian Navy on Thursday. After assuming charge, he reached the National War Memorial in New Delhi and paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the country by offering a wreath.
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy (NDA), Pune and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1988. Gunnery and missile systems expert Ajay Kochhar has had a naval career spanning over 37 years, in which he has held several important command, operational and staff appointments.
Long experience in maritime security
He commanded the Indian Navy’s warships INS Nashak, INS Vibhuti and INS Kirpan. Apart from this, he was also the first commanding officer of the frigate INS Trikand. Vice Admiral Kochhar also commanded the Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya, where during his tenure the successful integration and operationalization of the carrier’s air wing was completed.
He is a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College, Wellington, the Naval War College, Goa and the Royal College of Defense Studies, United Kingdom. At Naval Headquarters, he held strategic and policy related roles in important departments like Naval Plan, Staff Requirements and DSCT.
Promotion to flag rank in 2018
After promotion to flag rank in 2018, he also served as Assistant Controller of Carrier Projects and Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (ACWP&A). After this, in the year 2021, he took command of the Western Fleet and later became the Commandant of the National Defense Academy, where he worked for training and infrastructure improvement.
Important role in Operation Sindoor
On 25 May 2024, he took charge as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command. During this period, he led naval operations to counter traditional and non-traditional threats amid challenging security conditions in the Western Maritime Regions. He also played an important role in high-tempo naval operations during Operation Sindoor.
strengthened joint operational capability
He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 2026. Before assuming the post of Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, he was the Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command. There he played an important role in better coordination between the three armies and strengthening joint operational capability.
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