New Delhi | Gen NS Raja Subramani, widely known as an expert on Pakistan and China, on Sunday took charge as India's new Chief of Defence Staff with a primary mandate to implement the ambitious military theaterisation plan and bolster tri-services synergy.
He succeeded Gen Anil Chauhan, who signed off after completing his tenure as the country's senior-most military commander on Saturday.
Gen Subramani was serving as the Military Advisor at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). He retired as the Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 31 last year.
The military officer, shortly after taking charge, said transformation of the armed forces and organisational reforms to enhance tri-services synergy and integration will be his primary focus.
"We will accelerate the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapons in our armed forces," he said in a brief media statement.
"Our armed forces consistently demonstrated professionalism and operational decisiveness in safeguarding our national interests. We are committed to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country," he said.
"I assure citizens of India that armed forces will continue to serve the nation with dedication, courage, honour and professionalism," he said.
Gen Subramani noted that he would work towards accelerating the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapon systems into the armed forces.
"Innovation in thought and action will drive our capability development. Greater collaboration between the military, the industry, academia, startups and the research ecosystem will be the key enabler for modernisation," he said.
The new Chief of Defence Staff said the Indian Army, the Navy, Air Force, the defence ministry and as well as the strategic institutions and all stakeholders stand united as part of the "whole of nation approach" to strengthen India's security.
"We are committed to implementing the vision of our prime minister -- 'JAI' -- Jointness, Atma Nirbharta and Innovation," he said.
As Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Subramani's primary task will be to implement the theaterisation model by rolling out integrated military commands.
In his illustrious career spanning over 40 years, Gen Subramani served across a wide spectrum of conflict and terrain profiles and held a host of command, staff and instructional appointments.
He served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, and was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command from March 2023 till June 2024.
The officer is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and the Indian
Military Academy.
He was commissioned into the eighth battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985.
Gen Subramani is an alumnus of the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Bracknell (UK), and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He holds a Master of Arts degree from King's College, London, and an MPhil in Defence Studies from Madras University.
He commanded the 16 Garhwal Rifles in counter-insurgency operations in Assam as part of Operation Rhino, the 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir, and the 17 Mountain Division in the Central Sector during a challenging operational environment.
He also distinguished himself by commanding two corps, including a premier strike corps of the Indian Army on the Western Front.
Gen Subramani's staff and instructional assignments include Brigade Major of a Mountain Brigade, Defence Attache in Kazakhstan, Assistant Military Secretary in the Military Secretary's Branch, Deputy Commander of a Rashtriya Rifles Sector in Jammu and Kashmir, and Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army).
He also held the posts of Brigadier General Staff (Operations) in the Eastern Command, Chief Instructor (Army) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and Chief of Staff at Headquarters Northern Command.
For his distinguished service, the General Officer has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
New Delhi | Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Sunday assumed charge as India's 27th Chief of the Naval Staff and immediately prioritised peak operational readiness as his top focus to navigate a fast-evolving regional maritime security landscape.
He succeeds Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who superannuated after 41 years of distinguished service.
Admiral Swaminathan was serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command before taking charge of the top post.
The new Navy Chief, speaking to reporters, described the regional security environment as "challenging, complex and unpredictable", and asserted that maintaining top-level operational readiness will be his highest priority.
"The Indian Navy stands vigilant to protect national interests wherever they are and is very actively deployed in a regional security environment that continues to remain challenging, complex, unpredictable, and uncertain," he told reporters, in an apparent reference to the West Asia situation.
"It shall be my highest priority to ensure that the Indian Navy maintains the highest level of operational readiness and combat effectiveness so that it can protect the nation's security and economic interests," he said.
Admiral Swaminathan said the Indian Navy is well set on a course of capability enhancement and modernisation.
"It shall be my endeavour to sustain the growth momentum of the Navy, consolidate all ongoing programmes, scale up where required, and sharpen our operational capabilities through the induction of niche and emerging technologies," he said.
"I will devote every single day of my life to making the Navy a better, stronger, sharper and more impactful service so that it can serve the interests of national security, national development and national economic prosperity," he said.
Admiral Swaminathan said the Navy is deeply committed to tri-services jointness, 'Atmanirbharata' (self-reliance) and indigenisation.
He also said that ensuring the welfare, well-being and personal growth of all naval personnel will be one of his priorities.
He also praised Admiral Tripathi, describing him as one of the "finest" military professionals globally.
Admiral Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, and is a specialist in communication and electronic Warfare.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the US Naval War College, Newport.
A recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key operational, staff and training appointments in his naval career.
These include the command of missile vessels INS Vidyut and Vinash, the missile corvette INS Kulish, the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at the Southern Naval Command's headquarters in Kochi.
Vice Admiral Swaminathan was also instrumental in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team, which oversees operational safety across all verticals of the Navy.
He then served as the Flag Officer Sea Training, after which he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. He was appointed as Flag Officer, Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India.
Following his promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the Flag Officer served as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Controller of Personnel Services, and Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters.
Prior to his appointment to helm the Western Naval Command, he served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
Admiral Swaminathan's educational qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; an MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology; and an MA in Defence Studies from King's College, London.
He also holds an MPhil in Strategic Studies and a PhD in International Studies, both from Mumbai University.