Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC (born 3 November 1959), is a former flag officer of Indian Navy, who served as the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). The "Grey Eagle" (senior-most serving naval aviator)[3] of the Navy, he replaced Admiral Sunil Lanba as the CNS after his retirement on 31 May 2019.[4][5] Prior to his ascension, Admiral Singh served as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
Born on 3 November 1959 in Jalandhar, Punjab, Admiral Singh is a second generation military officer.[2] He attended the Barnes School in Deolali, before joining the 56th course of the National Defence Academy, where he was in the Hunter Squadron.[6] He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai.[7]
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He was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980 and earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982. He has extensive experience with the HAL Chetak, Kamov Ka-25 and Kamov Ka-28 helicopters.[4]
Singh has commanded the Jija Bai-class patrol vessel of the Indian Coast Guard ICGS Chand Bibi and the lead ship of her-class of corvettes INS Vijaydurg (K71) and the Rajput-class guided missile destroyer INS Rana (D52). He was in command of the Rana during the Review of the Fleet by the President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in 2005. During the review, Rana served as the flag ship of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin. He subsequently commanded the lead ship of her-class of guided missile destroyers INS Delhi (D61).
In his staff appointments, he served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet and served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff. He also served as the Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He was also a member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS).[8][7]
On promotion to flag rank, Singh was appointed the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command. His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Unified Command at Andaman & Nicobar Islands and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG).[7] As the Director General of Project Seabird, he stewarded the development of the Navy's new base at Karwar. He went on serve as the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, following which he was appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Staff.[8]
He assumed office of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command on 31 October 2017, succeeding Vice Admiral Harish Bisht.[7] In a career spanning close to 39 years, he has been awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal.[9]
On 23 March 2019, the Government of India named him Chief of Naval Staff, superseding Vice Admiral Bimal Verma. He is the first helicopter pilot to have served as Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy.[10][11]
He superannuated on 30 November 2021, and was succeeded as Chief of Naval Staff by Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar.[1]
He was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star of Japan on 29 April 2023[15] as a part of the 2023 Spring Conferment of Decorations. He was conferred the order in recognition of his contributions to strengthening the relationship between Japan and India on national defense.
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