Rear Admiral A.B. Singh is Eastern Fleet commander

Rear Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh Tuesday took over as the commander of the India Navy's Eastern Fleet, an official statement said.

He was handed over the charge by Rear Admiral Atul Kumar Jain onboard the flag ship INS Jalashwa.

Rear Admiral Singh is a specialist in navigation and aircraft direction and a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Also holding a Master's degree from Britain's Cranfield University, he has commanded Indian Naval Ships Veer (missile vessel), Vindhyagiri and Trishul (both frigates), and Viraat (aircraft carrier). He also has held various prestigious staff and operational appointments and was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011.

The Eastern Fleet comprises of 30 ships. These include amphibious platform Jalashwa, destroyers, stealth frigates, anti-submarine warfare corvette Kamorta, missile corvettes, landing ship tanks, offshore patrol vessels, missile boats and tankers.

Rear Admiral Jain will take over as the chief of staff of the Southern Naval Command at Kochi.