RAdm. Rahul Vilas Gokhale Takes Over as Fleet Commander of the Sword Arm

Rear Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale, NM took over the command of Western Fleet from Rear Admiral CR Praveen Nair, NM on 23 August 2024.

A second generation naval officer, RAdm. Gokhale was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 January 1992. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune; Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Naval War College, Goa and the Australian Defence College, Canberra.

The Flag Officer is a Navigation and Direction specialist and has vast experience in the domain. His notable command appointments include executive officer of INS Kora and Commanding Officer of INS Khukri and Kolkata. In addition, he has tenanted the appointment of Fleet Operations Officer of the Eastern Fleet.

The Flag Officer has held key appointments ashore including staff tenures at Directorate of Naval Plans, Directorate of Foreign Cooperation and Directorate of Personnel at Naval Headquarters. He has also served at the Indian High Commission at Islamabad, Pakistan, as the Naval Adviser. The Admiral also commanded the premier and oldest establishment on the Eastern Seaboard, INS Circars prior being promoted to Flag Rank.

In Flag Rank, he took over as Flag Officer Sea Training and was responsible for Operational Training of all sea going platforms. Prior to his present appointment, as Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, he served as Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development) at Naval Headquarters.