Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, NM, AVSM Assumes Charge as Chief of Staff Western Naval Command

Mumbai, May 26. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, NM, AVSM assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command on May 25. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington, Naval War College, Mumbai and Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom.

A Missile and Gunnery specialist, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 88. In a career spanning over 35 years, the officer has held a number of specialist, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.

He has the rare distinction of commanding five front line warships of the Indian Navy in different ranks. He commanded INS Nashak and INS Vibhuti in the rank of Lieutenant Commander and INS Kirpan in the rank of Commander. In the rank of captain, he commanded INS Vikramaditya and was the commissioning Commanding Officer of INS Trikand.

His staff appointments include Joint Director at Directorate of Naval Plans, Director at Directorate of Staff Requirements and as Principal Director at Directorate of Strategy Concepts and Transformation.

On promotion to Flag rank, the officer took over duties of Assistant Controller Carrier Projects and Assistant Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, wherein he steered multiple ship building projects. He was thereafter appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. Prior to assuming his present appointment, he was Commandant, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.

For rendering distinguished service of an exceptional order, the Flag officer was awarded Nausena Medal in the year 2013 and ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ by the President on January 26, 2022.

He is married to Mrs Reyman Kochhar. The couple have a daughter Sabah and a son Karan.