Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh Bids Farewell; Credited For His Focus On The Modernization Drive

Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) arrived at Kochi on Tuesday on a two-day farewell visit to the Southern Naval Command (SNC) and was received by VAdm A K Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SNC. The CNS interacted with Officers, Sailors and Defence Civilians of the SNC on 17 Nov 21.    

Admiral Karambir Singh retires from the Navy on 30 Nov 21 after over four decades of distinguished service. Admiral Karambir Singh is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980, he earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1981 and has flown extensively on the Chetak (Alouette) and Kamov helicopters. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and has served as Directing Staff in both these institutions.

Admiral KB Singh is the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy.  The Grey Eagle (Senior-most Serving Naval Aviator) of the Navy, prior to his ascension, has commanded the Coast Guard ship ICGS Chand Bibi, the corvette INS Vijaydurg, and the guided missile destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi. 

He also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. In his Ashore tenure, he has served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff, and as Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He was also a member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS). 

On promotion to flag rank, the Admiral was appointed as the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command. His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Unified Command at Andaman & Nicobar Islands and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG). 

As the Director General of Project Seabird, he stewarded the development of the Navy’s new base at Karwar. He went on to serve as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, following which he was appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Staff. In a career spanning over 41 years, he has been awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal.

During the last two and half years as CNS, Admiral KB Singh brought about a complete operational focus to ensure ‘Combat Ready, Credible and Cohesive Navy’ across all echelons of the Navy.

He led the Navy during one of the most challenging phases that the Navy has seen in several decades – the combination of the Galwan Crisis and COVID Pandemic and ensured that the frontline naval assets remained Mission Deployed to meet all challenges in the maritime domain.

During the interaction with officers, sailors and defence civilians of the Southern Naval Command, the Admiral complimented them for the perseverance efforts to maintain the operational assets combat worthy. He exhorted the personnel to continue their focus on continuing the high standards of training imparted to officers and men. He also congratulated the training diplomacy efforts spearheaded by SNC in building bonds of friendship with friendly foreign countries.

The Admiral complimented them Southern Naval Command personnel in standing shoulder to shoulder in providing assistance to civil authorities especially during the Covid pandemic. The efforts of the SNC ships towards Operation Samudra Setu (both part one and two) for repatriation of Indians from GCC and Maldives and for transporting oxygen to mainland came in for special praise. He also congratulated SNC for continued assistance to the Govt of Kerala for the efforts during various natural calamities especially after the 2018 floods.