Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla Assumes Charge as the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command on 1 April 2023. He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 1 January 1989. In a career spanning 34 years, he has held a number of specialist, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.

After completing his Specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he did several appointments as a specialist onboard frontline ships. He subsequently held three extremely challenging, fulfilling and eventful commands at sea, which include INS Nishank, INS Taragiri and INS Beas. Ashore, he has held important staff appointments at the Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), headed officers training at Naval Academy and has also held diplomatic assignment overseas.

He is an alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, Naval War College, Goa and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He also has several degrees such as M Phil (Defence & Strategic Studies), Master’s in International Security and Strategic Studies from King’s College London, M.Sc (Defence & Strategic Studies), Madras University and M.Sc (Telecom) from CUSAT.

As recognition of continued performance of a high order, he has been awarded with Nau Sena Medal, commendations by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief and President’s Silver Medal at Naval Academy. His hobbies include reading, swimming and golf.