Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 29 May 2026 and paid homage to the service personnel who made the supreme sacrifice by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The change emphasised continuity of leadership. He will support the Chief of the Naval Staff in operational and administrative duties.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1988 and specialises in gunnery and missile systems. His naval career spans more than 37 years and includes command, operational and staff appointments across sea and shore. The breadth of experience underpins his suitability for the vice chief role.

He commanded the Indian Naval ships Nashak, Vibhuti and Kirpan and was the commissioning commanding officer of the frigate Trikand, covering induction responsibilities. He also commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, during which the ship completed integration and operationalisation of its air wing, strengthening carrier capability.

He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Naval War College, Goa, and the Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom (UK), and has held senior strategic staff roles at Naval Headquarters. Promoted to flag rank in 2018, he served as assistant controller of carrier projects and assistant controller of warship production and acquisition and commanded the Western Fleet in 2021 before serving as commandant of the National Defence Academy.

He assumed charge as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command on 25 May 2024 and led the Command’s response to conventional and non-traditional maritime threats, including operations during Operation Sindoor, and his service was recognised with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026. Prior to becoming vice chief he served as commander-in-chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command and focused on operational coordination and joint integration. He is married to Mrs Reyman and the couple have two children; their daughter Sabah is a freelance journalist and their son Karan works at a financial consultancy.