Vice Admiral Lanba to take over as Western Naval Command chief

Lanba is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the executive branch of the Indian Navy in January 1978

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, will assume charge as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command (FOC-in-C, West) here on Sunday.

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba completed his schooling from Mayo College in Ajmer. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the executive branch of the Indian Navy in January 1978, an official release said on Saturday.

After specialising in navigation and direction in 1983 the officer served as navigating officer of INS Sindhudurg (Corvette) and INS Dunagiri (Frigate). He has commanded Indian Naval Ships Kakinada (minesweeper), Himgiri (frigate), and guided missile destroyers Ranvijay and Mumbai.

He has completed staff course from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu, long defence management course from College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) course from RCDS, London. He has also been faculty at the College of Defence Management and has headed the prestigious National Defence College of India as commandant.

He has held various important staff appointments including fleet operations officer of Western Fleet, chief of staff at headquarters Southern Naval Command, flag officer sea training, flag officer commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat naval area, chief of staff at headquarters Eastern Naval Command and vice chief of naval staff.

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba is handing over the command of Southern Naval Command on Sunday.

For distinguished service, he has been awarded Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) and Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM).