Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, took charge as the 48th Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) on Friday. Upon assuming the position, he honoured the servicemen who sacrificed their lives for the nation by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.
The outgoing Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, also paid his respects at the memorial.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, Vice Admiral Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1988. As a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems, he has held numerous command, operational, and staff roles over a naval career spanning more than 37 years.
He has commanded IN Ships Nashak, Vibhuti, and Kirpan, and was the commissioning commanding officer of the frigate Trikand. Additionally, he commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, overseeing the integration and operationalisation of its air wing during his tenure.
Vice Admiral Kochhar graduated from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; the Naval War College, Goa; and the Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom. He has served in strategic and policy roles at Naval Headquarters, including Joint Director at Naval Plans, Director of Staff Requirements, and Principal Director DSCT.
After promotion to Flag Rank in 2018, he was Assistant Controller of Carrier Projects and Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. He then commanded the Western Fleet in 2021, followed by serving as Commandant of the National Defence Academy, where he enhanced training standards and infrastructure.
On May 25, 2024, he became Chief of Staff at the Western Naval Command during a challenging security environment. He led the Command’s response to conventional and non-traditional threats along the Western Seaboard, including intense operations during Operation Sindoor. For his leadership and exemplary service, he received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
Before assuming the Vice Chief position, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, where he was instrumental in operational coordination and strengthening integration among the three Services.