Admiral D K Joshi takes charge as new Navy chief

NEW DELHI: Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi took over as the new Indian Navy chief on Friday.
Admiral Joshi is the 21st Chief of Naval Staff of independent India and the 19th Indian to command the Indian Navy. Admiral Nirmal Verma, who retired on Friday, handed over the chief's telescope in South Block formally handing over charge.
To achieve security related objectives, the "man-machine interface is crucial and the Navy would need to professionally re-audit, train and consolidate its preparedness to optimize the existing capabilities as well as harness the full potential of the transformational new capabilities being inducted," Joshi said on assuming charge.
A specialist in anti-submarine warfare, Joshi has commanded several naval ships, including aircraft career INS Viraat, and was also the chief of Eastern Fleet. His last posting was as the chief of Mumbai-based Western Naval Command.
Under Joshi, the Navy is expected to continue with its efforts to become a more credible blue water force, capable of undertaking operations far off India coast and protect national interests around the world. During Joshi's tenure Russia made aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov would be commissioned by December, besides several other new inductions. The Navy would also kick start Rs 13,000 crore phase II expansion of Project Seabird, the naval harbour that is being constructed near Goa.