INDIA. Mumbai: Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command on Saturday. He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on January 1, 1989. In a career spanning 34 years, he has held several specialist, staff, and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.
The Western Naval Command is one of the three command-level formations of the Indian Navy, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As the senior-most of the three formations, the command is responsible for all naval forces in the Arabian Sea and western parts of the Indian Ocean, as well as the naval establishments on the west coast of India.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, after completing his specialisation course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, made several appointments as a specialist onboard frontline ships. He subsequently had the privilege and opportunity of holding three extremely challenging, fulfilling, and eventful commands at sea, which include, INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, and INS Beas.
Bhalla has held important staff appointments at the Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), headed officer training at the Naval Academy, and held a diplomatic assignment overseas.
An alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, Naval War College, Goa; and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, his educational accomplishments include an M.Phil. (Defence & Strategic Studies), Masters in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Kings College, London, M.Sc. (Defence & Strategic Studies from Madras University; and an M.Sc.(Telecom) from CUSAT.
As recognition of his continued performance of a high order, Bhalla has been awarded the Nau Sena Medal, commendations by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and the President’s Silver Medal at the Naval Academy. He enjoys reading, swimming, and golfing.
Also Read: Defence Minister Reviews Operational Capabilities of Indian Navy
