Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh takes over Indian Navy's western fleet

NEW DELHI: Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh on Monday assumed command of the ' Sword Arm' of Indian Navy as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.

An accomplished fighter pilot and qualified flying instructor (QFI), the Admiral, who has over 2500 hours of flying experience on ten different types of aircraft, took charge on board INS Viraat after landing on the aircraft carrier in a helicopter.

The flag officer, who hails from Jalandhar in Punjab, was commissioned in the Indian Navy on July 1, 1983.

He has flown from the decks of the aircraft carrier extensively in his younger days.

Singh has commanded destroyers Ranvijay and Ranvir as well as frigate Himgiri. He has also served as second-in-command (Executive Officer) of destroyer Delhi and erstwhile missile boat Vijaydurg.

He has commanded the Sea Harrier Training and Frontline Operational Squadron INAS 300 (White Tigers), besides the Naval Air Station INS Hansa. He has also served as the Defence Advisor in Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles.

At naval headquarters, he has served as Assistant Controller Carrier Projects (ACCP) and Assistant Controller Warship Production and Acquisition (ACWP&A) during which INS Vikramaditya was inducted and commissioned in the Indian Navy.

Before assuming the current assignment, he was Flag Officer Goa Area and Flag Officer Naval Aviation.

The Flag Officer, a White Tiger himself, is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and is the recipient of Nau Sena Medal Gallantry.