Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on May 29, 2026, marking a new chapter in a distinguished naval career spanning more than 37 years. Upon assuming office, he paid homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
advertisement
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, 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 service.
Over the course of his career, he commanded Indian Naval Ships Nashak, Vibhuti and Kirpan. He also served as the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the frigate Trikand. Later, he commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, during which the carrier successfully completed the integration and operationalisation of its air wing.
Vice Admiral Kochhar is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Naval War College, Goa, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. At Naval Headquarters, he held several key strategic and policy-oriented staff appointments, including Joint Director at Naval Plans, Director of Staff Requirements and Principal Director DSCT.
After his promotion to Flag Rank in 2018, he served as the Assistant Controller of Carrier Projects and Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. In 2021, he took command of the Western Fleet and later served as Commandant of the National Defence Academy, where he contributed significantly to enhancing training standards and infrastructure.
He assumed charge as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, on May 25, 2024, during a challenging security situation in the Western Maritime Theatre. In that role, he led the Command’s response to conventional and non-traditional threats along the western seaboard and oversaw high-tempo naval operations during Operation Sindoor.
The Navy recognised his distinguished service with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026 for exceptional leadership and meritorious service of a very high order.
Before taking over as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Kochhar served as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. During his tenure, he played a key role in operational coordination and in strengthening integration and jointness among the three Services.
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar is married to Mrs Reyman, an artist who has worked in the fields of advertising and education. The couple has two children. Their daughter, Sabah, works as a freelance journalist, while their son, Karan, is employed at a financial consultancy firm.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
