Admiral Sunil Lanba has assumed Command of the Indian Navy, as the
23rd Chief of the Naval Staff today, 31 May 16.
A Navigation and Direction specialist, Admiral Lanba served as the
Navigation and Operations Officer onboard numerous ships in both the Eastern and
Western Fleets. His nearly four decades of experience includes tenure at sea,
ashore at various Headquarters, Operational and Training establishments as well
as tri-services institutions. His sea tenure includes command of INS Kakinada,
a specialised Mine Counter Measure Vessel, INS Himgiri, the indigenous Leander
class Frigate, INS Ranvijay, a Kashin class destroyer and INS Mumbai,
the indigenous Delhi class destroyer. He has also been the Executive Officer of
the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat and the Fleet Operations Officer of
the Western Fleet.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Defence
Services Staff College, Wellington, College of Defence Management,
Secundrabad and Royal College of Defence Studies, London, Admiral
Lanba’s career has been enriched with his vast experience at sea, training,
operational and tri-services tour of duty both within India and with
international navies.
As a Training Officer
at the National Defence Academy, Directing Staff at the College of Defence
Management and as the Commandant of the National Defence College,
Admiral Lanba has been deeply engaged with professional training, shaping
future leadership and skilling of the officers of the Indian armed forces. Whilst
being part of the Flag Officer Sea Training Organisation at the Local Workup
Team (West), he sharpened the combat skills of the Western Naval Command.
On elevation to flag rank, Admiral Lanba has held several
significant capacity and capability assignments for the Navy. He was
responsible for transformation in training methodology for the future Indian
Navy as the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. The Admiral thereafter,
took on the mantle of the Flag Officer Sea Training, where he ushered
changes to enhance battle effectiveness of ships and rationalised combat
manning onboard. Later, he took over command of the vital Maharashtra and
Gujarat Naval Area as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval
Area and implemented significant coastal security initiatives along with
multiagency co-ordination mechanisms that have since ensured safe seas and
coastal areas.
On promotion as Vice Admiral, he has been the Chief of Staff, Eastern
Naval Command, and Commandant of the National Defence College. In
his capacity as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, the Admiral streamlined
the frame work for transformation of Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and
infrastructure development as well as tri-services initiatives towards
enhancing integration and jointness.
Prior to taking over as the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral
Lanba has been the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern and Western
Naval Commands, wherein he provided impetus to training and skill
development, synergising combat operations, coastal security, safety and
infrastructure development along the Western seaboard and in the Lakshadweep and
Minicoy islands.
The Admiral is a recipient of Param Vishist Seva Medal and Ati
Vishist Seva Medal for meritorious service and is also the Honorary Aide-de-Camp
to the President of India.
Admiral Sunil Lanba is married to Reena. The couple is blessed
with Moneesha and Sukriti, their daughters and Adhiraj, their son.
DKS