Pakistan-China expert Lt Gen Subramani named next CDS; Vice Admiral Swaminathan will be new Navy chief

NEW DELHI: An expert on Pakistan and China, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (retd) has been appointed the country’s next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The govt has also appointed Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next chief of the Indian Navy. While Lt Gen Subramani will replace CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, who completes his tenure on May 30, Vice-Admiral Swaminathan will succeed Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, who retires on May 31.

Currently in the role of a military adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat, Lt Gen Subramani’s key priority will be to implement the ambitious theaterisation model that aims at tri-services synergy by rolling out integrated military commands.

Prior to his present role, Lt Gen Subramani was vice-chief of army staff from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, and general officer commanding-in-chief, Central Command from March 2023 to June 2024. In an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, Lt Gen Subramani has served across a wide spectrum of conflict and terrain profiles and held a host of command, staff and instructional posts. He had the distinction of commanding 2 Corps, the premier strike Corps of the Army on western front. He also commanded 16 Garhwal Rifles during counter-insurgency in Assam as part of Op Rhino, 168 Infantry Brigade in J&K and 17 Mountain Division in the central sector.

An alumnus of Joint Services Command Staff College, Bracknell (UK), and National Defence College, New Delhi, Lt Gen Subramani holds an MA degree from King’s College London and an M Phil in defence studies from Madras University. He has insightful knowledge and a deep understanding of operational dynamics on both the western and northern borders. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan is currently serving as flag officer commanding-in-chief of Western Naval Command. As Navy chief, he is likely to focus on the ongoing modernisation of force. A recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the next Admiral has held several key operational, staff and training appointments in his naval career, including the command of missile vessels INS Vidyut and Vinash, missile corvette INS Kulish; guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He was also instrumental in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all verticals of the Navy.

On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, and played a key role in the conduct of training across the Indian Navy. On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the flag officer was chief of staff of the Western Naval Command, controller of personnel services and chief of personnel at NHQ.

Swaminathan's qualifications include a BSc degree from JNU, MSc in telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology. MA in Defence Studies from King's College, London, and PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.