Admiral R Hari Kumar on Tuesday took charge as the new chief of the Indian Navy, replacing Admiral Karambir Singh who superannuated after serving over 41 years. Admiral Hari Kumar is the twenty fifth Chief of the Naval Staff.

Admiral Hari Kumar is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1983.

In his career spanning over 38 years, Admiral Hari Kumar has commanded Coast Guard Ship C-01, IN Ships Nishank, Kora, Ranvir and the Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat.

A Gunnery specialist, Admiral Hari Kumar has held several key appointments, including Fleet Operations Officer (FOO) and Fleet Gunnery Officer (FGO) of Western Fleet, Executive Officer (EXO) of INS Vipul, Gunnery Officer of INS Ranjit, commissioning GO of INS Kuthar and commissioning crew of INS Ranvir.

Admiral Hari Kumar’s shore appointments include Command Gunnery Officer at HQWNC, Naval Advisor to Government of Seychelles, UN Mission in Somalia (UNOSOM II) at Mogadishu and Training Commander, INS Dronacharya.

As a Flag Officer, Admiral Hari Kumar has served as Commandant of the Naval War College (NWC) at Goa, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST), Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF), Chief of Staff (COS), Western Naval Command (WNC), Controller Personnel Services (CPS) and Chief of Personnel (COP) at Naval Headquarters.

Admiral Hari Kumar has also served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs Of Staff Committee (CISC) at the critical junction during the creation of the institution of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

Admiral Hari Kumar was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCinC), WNC at Mumbai, prior taking over helm as the Chief of the Naval Staff on November 30, 2021.