Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 01 May 2024. On assuming charge, the Flag Officer paid floral tributes at the National War Memorial and paid tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 87 and is an expert in communications and electronic warfare. He is a member of the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla; Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, UK; College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and an alumnus of the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, US.
Awarded with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key operational, staff and training appointments in his Naval career including command of missile ships INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Have been on the post.
On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters Southern Naval Command, Kochi and played a key role in the conduct of training in the Indian Navy. He was also instrumental in setting up the Indian Naval Security Team which oversees operational security across all areas of the Navy's operations. He then went on to head the Naval Work-up Organization as Flag Officer Sea Training, following which he got the opportunity to be appointed as Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. After assuming command of the Sword Arm, he was appointed Flag Officer Offshore Defense Advisory Group and Advisor Offshore Security and Defense in the Government of India.
On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the Flag Officer was the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command and Controller of Personnel Services at NHQ. Prior to his current assignment as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, he served as Chief of Personnel at NHQ. Vice Admiral Swaminathan's educational qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, MA in Defense Studies from King's College London, MPhil in Strategic Studies from the University of Mumbai and Including a PhD in International Studies from the University.