Expert in electronic warfare, Vice Admiral DK Tripathi held important positions

Vice Admiral DK Tripathi’s selection to the position of Navy Chief puts an all-arounder in charge. When current leader R Hari Kumar retires on April 30, he will assume the role. The most senior member of the Navy, Vice Admiral Tripathi, has held a number of posts, most recently serving as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. He brings a plethora of expertise to his current position.

He was commissioned into the Navy on July 1, 1985, and is a graduate of the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla, and Sainik School Rewa. As an expert in communication and electronic warfare, he worked as an Electronic Warfare Officer and Signal Communication Officer aboard Navy front-line warships. Later, he was appointed Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of the guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai.

INS Vinash, INS Kirch, and INS Trishul were under his command. He has also served as the Western Fleet’s Fleet Operations Officer in Mumbai.

In addition, he completed a job as Principal Director of Naval Plans in New Delhi and served as Principal Director of Network-Centric Operations. In the strategy and planning branch, he is the Assistant Chief of Navy. From July 2020 to May 2021, he held the position of Director General of Naval Operations.