Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Assumes Charge as 47th Navy Vice Chief

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan took over as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 1 August 2025. He succeeded Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who was made the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

Before he assumed the office of Vice-Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan served as the Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Policy, Plans, and Force Development) at the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi.

The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff was established in November 2001 by the Government of India, encompassing all three services of the Indian Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, and Air Force. 

At the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan played a crucial role in coordination and integration, providing policy inputs for the force structures, modernisation, and development of equipment for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

About Vice-Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan 

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsyan passed out from the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla in Pune, Maharashtra, and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Indian Navy in January 1988.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, a specialist in Gunnery and missile systems, served as a Flag Officer on various Indian Navy warships, including the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mysore and INS Nishan. 

In his illustrious naval career, he has commanded missile boats INS Nishank and INS Vibhuti.

He has also commanded the Missile Corvette INS Kuthar. 

He was the Commanding Officer of the Guided Missile Frigate INS Sahyadri when it was inducted into the Indian Navy.

He was the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet in June 2020, during the Galwan clash with China, and led numerous operational deployments and exercises during a time of heightened maritime activity following the events at Galwan.

In December 2021, Sanjay Vatsyana was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command, based in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 

Honours for Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan 

During his illustrious service in the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsyan has been honoured with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for exceptional service and Nau Sena (NM) medal for gallantry.

Chief of Naval Staff- Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi (26th Chief of Indian Navy)

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