NEW DELHI: Admiral Nirmal Verma, an expert in communication and electronic warfare, on Monday took over as the country's new Navy chief. He is the 20th chief of Navy staff and succeeds Admiral Sureesh Mehta. Immediately after taking over, Verma emphasised the importance of maintaining high maritime domain awareness, synergising the weapon-sensor grid and ensuring seamless connectivity over a networked force. He stated that the training of the Navy is also being realigned to man the technology intensive force. Admiral Verma's nearly four decades of experience includes his sea tenures commanding Leander class frigate INS Udaygiri, Kashin class destroyer INS Ranvir and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. He has commanded the Naval Academy at Goa, and has been the head of the naval training team at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Outlining his priorities, he stated that his emphasis would be on consolidating and sustaining the growth of the Navy with due attention to indigenisation. He cited the acquisition of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, the new long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I and the Scorpene submarine as being of utmost priority. In another important appointment in the armed forces on Monday, Lt Gen RK Loomba was appointed as the new Director General Military Intelligence. Prior to his new assignment, Loomba was General Officer Commanding, 3 Corps. He takes over from Lt Gen D S Bartwal.

NEW DELHI: Admiral Nirmal Verma, an expert in communication and electronic warfare, on Monday took over as the country's new Navy chief. He is the 20th chief of Navy staff and succeeds Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

Immediately after taking over, Verma emphasised the importance of maintaining high maritime domain awareness, synergising the weapon-sensor grid and ensuring seamless connectivity over a networked force. He stated that the training of the Navy is also being realigned to man the technology intensive force.

Admiral Verma's nearly four decades of experience includes his sea tenures commanding Leander class frigate INS Udaygiri, Kashin class destroyer INS Ranvir and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. He has commanded the Naval Academy at Goa, and has been the head of the naval training team at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Outlining his priorities, he stated that his emphasis would be on consolidating and sustaining the growth of the Navy with due attention to indigenisation. He cited the acquisition of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, the new long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I and the Scorpene submarine as being of utmost priority.

In another important appointment in the armed forces on Monday, Lt Gen RK Loomba was appointed as the new Director General Military Intelligence. Prior to his new assignment, Loomba was General Officer Commanding, 3 Corps. He takes over from Lt Gen D S Bartwal.