Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi takes over as the new Navy Chief. Joshi, who used to be Vice Admiral, is an anti-submarine warfare specialist, and will succeed Admiral Nirmal Verma who retires today.

Joshi (58), who is at present the Western naval Commander, is taking over the force at a time when it is set to operate two aircraft carriers and induct a large number of warships, long-range surveillance aircraft and submarines.

He will have a three-year tenure.Vice Admiral Joshi has commanded the tri-services Andaman and Nicobar Island command and also headed the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters here. He also commanded the Vizag-based Eastern Fleet of the Navy. 

Commissioned in 1974, the Vice Admiral has commanded the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, guided-missile destroyer Ranvir and corvette INS Kuthar.