MUMBAI, May 26:
Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra will take over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command succeeding Vice-Admiral Sunil Lanba on May 30.
Lanba will proceed to New Delhi to take charge as the Chief of Naval Staff from Admiral RK Dhowan the next day, a defence release said here today. Vice Admiral Luthra is currently the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command.
Luthra was commissioned in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy in July 1979.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and Naval Command Naval War College, USA.
His important staff appointments include Deputy Naval Attaché to High Commission of India at London, Principal Director Naval Plans, Asst Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans), Director General of Naval Operations and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations). Luthra was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2012 and Vishisht Seva Medal in 2008. (PTI)