Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani named next CDS; Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan to head Indian Navy

In a major reshuffle of India’s top military leadership, NS Raja Subramani has been appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), while Krishna Swaminathan will take over as the new Chief of the Indian Navy.

Lt Gen Subramani will also serve as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs from the date he assumes office. He succeeds Anil Chauhan, whose tenure as CDS ends on May 30.

Currently serving as military adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat, Subramani retired as Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 31 last year after a distinguished 39-year career in the Indian Army.

During his service, he held several key operational commands, including as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command. He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Commissioned into the 8th Battalion, Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985, Lt Gen Subramani served across some of the country’s most challenging operational theatres.

He commanded 16 Garhwal Rifles during counter-insurgency operations in Assam under Operation Rhino, led the 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir, and headed the 17 Mountain Division in the Central Sector.

He also commanded the prestigious 2 Corps, the Indian Army’s premier strike corps on the western front.

New Navy chief

In another significant appointment, Vice Admiral Swaminathan has been named the next Chief of Naval Staff. He will assume charge on May 31, succeeding Dinesh Kumar Tripathi upon his retirement.

Swaminathan is currently serving as Western Naval Commander and brings extensive operational experience to the role.

Over his naval career, he has commanded India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, missile corvette INS Kulish, and missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, he is a specialist in communication and electronic warfare.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he has also trained at the College of Naval Warfare, the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the United States Naval War College.