New Delhi, April 17
Admiral Rabinder Kumar Dhowan today assumed charge as the Chief of Naval Staff, after officiating in the position for around two months. He promised to ensure that the Navy was combat-ready to meet all challenges at all times.

Admiral Dhowan, who supersedes senior-most Vice-Admiral Shekhar Sinha, had been serving as the Vice-Chief of Naval Staff since August last. He was given the officiating charge after Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi resigned on February 26 following a series of accidents, including the one involving submarine INS Sindhurakshak.

Incidentally, most mishaps had occurred in the Western Command, headed by Admiral Sinha.

Although he never headed an operational command, Admiral Dhowan brings to office the experience of having been Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. He commanded missile corvette INS Khukri, guided missile destroyers INS Ranjit and INS Delhi. Ministry officials said every aspect relating to the five Vice-Admirals in the zone of consideration was gone through in detail, a process that took seven weeks. In the normal course, the government has around six months to finalise a successor to the top post.

The minister, who was criticised for delay in the appointment of a successor to Admiral Joshi, it is understood, wanted to ensure that every detail is recorded on the file that was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office last Saturday.

A specialist in direction and navigation, Dhowan, 59, will have a little over two years to take the Navy forward. The service has been struggling with accidents and maintenance issues even as it expanded its fleet of vessels and reconnaissance aircraft.

Aware of the challenges, Dhowan said he would ensure that men and officers were trained professionally, besides working to put in place a good leadership system.