Vice Admiral AR Karve takes over as Chief of Personnel in Navy

NEW DELHI: Vice Admiral A R Karve has assumed charge as the Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters here.

Karve, who took over yesterday, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1980.

The Chief of Personnel (COP) post is an important one since his area of operation includes recruitment, promotions, transfer, discipline among others.

Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS), Vice Admiral P Murugesan had been officiating as the COP, a post he held before his promotion, since March 31 this year.

A statement released by the Navy said Karve after his initial sea appointments, completed his specialisation in Anti-Submarine Warfare in 1986 and has served on board various frontline fleet ships.

He has been the commissioning crew of INS Viraat (ex-HMS Hermes, the aircraft carrier which he subsequently commanded) and has undergone training at UK.

During his 35 years of distinguished service he has held various important operational and staff appointments, both ashore and afloat.

As a Captain, he commanded the aircraft carrier INS Viraat and the guided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay.

His other Commands at sea include INS Dunagiri (frigate) and INS Ajay (ASW patrol vessel).

Other key operational appointments held by him include Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (Western Fleet), Command Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (Western Naval Command) and Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command.

He has also served as an instructor in Anti-Submarine Warfare School, Kochi and as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington.

A graduate of DSSC Wellington, he completed the Naval Higher Command Course from College of Naval Warfare at Mumbai, and did post-graduation in National Security and Strategy from the National Defence University, Washington DC (USA).

He has also held other important assignments such as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Information Warfare & Operations) for three and half years at the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy), here, the Flag Officer Commanding of Western Fleet for seventeen months and Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command for two years at Mumbai.

For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) on January 26, 2013.