On the first day of the year, three vice admirals and one air vice marshal assumed charges of their new responsibility. 

New Commander for Southern Naval Command

Vice Admiral V Srinivas, AVSM, NM took over as the 30th Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief (FOCINC), Southern Naval Command at an impressive ceremonial parade held at Naval Base, Kochi on 31 Dec 23. He succeeded Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, PVSM, AVSM, NM who retired upon superannuation after an illustrious career spanning close to four decades in the Indian Navy. Floral wreaths were placed at Venduruthy War memorial by both the Flag Officers in a solemn ceremony to pay homage to all personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the Nation.

Vice Admiral V Srinivas is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1987. An Anti-submarine warfare specialist, he served onboard frontline submarines INS Shalki, INS Shishumar and INS Shankul (during Op Vijay). In his career spanning 36 years, he has commanded INS Shankul, on two occasions, destroyer INS Ranvir and the nuclear submarine INS Chakra. He holds the distinction of being one of the only two officers ever in Indian Navy to have commanded a frontline warship as well as an SSN. 

New Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration (SOA), WAC

On 1st January, 2024 Air Vice Marshal S Sivakumar took over as Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration (SOA) of Headquarters Western Air Command, New Delhi. 

Air Vice Marshal Sivakumar was commissioned in the Administration Branch on 16 Jun 1990 and is an alumni of the College of Air Warfare.  During his illustrious service carrier, he has served in various capacities at units, Command HQs and Air HQs.  He has served as Air Officer Commanding of an Equipment Depot and also held the key appointment of Command Works Officer and Command Personnel Staff Officer at an Operation Command.

Air Vice Marshal Sivakumar was Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Air Force Works) at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan) prior to the current appointment at Headquarters Western Air Command, New Delhi.

New Chief of Material, Indian Navy

Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as the Chief of Materiel on 01 Jan 24. An alumnus of VJTI, University of Mumbai, VAdm Deshmukh was commissioned as an Engineer Officer into the Indian Navy on 31 March 86. He holds a Master's degree in Engineering and is a post graduate from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. The Flag Officer has held various important appointments in the Staff, Personnel and Materiel Branch at Naval Headquarters, trial agencies, Material Organisation, Naval Dockyard and Command staff at HQENC. He has also served onboard frontline ships of Rajput Class, Delhi Class and Teg Class in various capacities.

New Controller Controller Warship Production 

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as the Controller Warship Production and Acquisition on 01 Jan 24. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (70th Course), he was commissioned as an Electrical Officer into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1987. He holds Master Degrees in Engineering from IIT Chennai and Management from Osmania University. The Flag Officer has held various important appointments in the Staff and Materiel Branch at Naval and Command Headquarters, Dockyard and Training Establishments.