Vice Admiral Girish Luthra to assume FOC-in-C of Southern Naval Command

Luthra is an alumnus of NDA, Pune, the DSSC, Wellington, and Naval Command Naval War College, USA

Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, AVSM, VSM, will assume charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (FOC-in-C, South) here on January 30.

He was commissioned in the executive branch of the Indian Navy on July 1, 1979, and is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Pune, the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and Naval Command Naval War College, USA.

A navigation and direction specialist, the officer served in many operational and staff billets afloat as well as ashore in a career spanning more than three decades, a Navy release said here on January 29.

His significant afloat tenures include the command of Indian naval ships Khukri, Talwar and the aircraft carrier Viraat, besides being the the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet during 2011-12.

His important staff appointments include Deputy Naval Attache to High Commission of India, London, Principal Director Naval Plans and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) and Director General of Naval Operations.

He was deputy chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) at IHQ, Ministry of Defence (Navy) at Delhi prior to being appointed as the FOC-in-C (South).

An eminent scholar in military affairs, the admiral has written and published a number of professional papers and articles, in various journals in India and abroad.

He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2008 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2012.