Vice Admiral V Srinivas Assumes Command as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Kochi
Kochi, December 31, 2023: Vice Admiral V Srinivas, AVSM, NM, assumed the esteemed role of the 30th Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCINC) of the Southern Naval Command in a distinguished ceremonial parade at Naval Base, Kochi. He succeeds Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, whose illustrious career spanning nearly four decades in the Indian Navy culminated upon superannuation.
An integral part of the ceremony included a solemn tribute at the Venduruthy War Memorial, where both Flag Officers paid homage to all personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the Nation.
Vice Admiral V Srinivas is a National Defence Academy alumnus and joined the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987. His expertise lies in Anti-submarine warfare, with service aboard frontline submarines like INS Shalki, INS Shishumar, and INS Shankul (during Op Vijay). Over his 36-year tenure, he commanded INS Shankul twice, the destroyer INS Ranvir, and the nuclear submarine INS Chakra. Notably, he holds the distinction of being one of the only two officers in the Indian Navy to have commanded both a frontline warship and an SSN (nuclear-powered submarine).
His accomplished staff assignments include roles as Commander Submarines at COMCOS (W), Chief Staff Officer to Flag Officer Submarines, Principal Director Ship Systems and Development (PDSSD), and Commanding Officer of Submarine Training establishment, INS Satavahana. He graduated from the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington and Naval War College at Goa, where he received the CinC’s Silver Medal, and completed the Senior Defence Management Course (SDMC) at CDM Secunderabad.
Vice Admiral V Srinivas possesses extensive operational experience, participating in Operations Pawan, Vijay, and Parakram, along with profound expertise in nuclear safety. In his tenure as a Flag officer, he served as Flag Officer Submarines (FOSM), Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA), Project Director (Operations & Training) at HQ ATVP, and Inspector General Nuclear Safety (IGNS) before assuming the role of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief on December 31, 2023. His commendable service has been recognized with the Nau Sena Medal (NM) in 2009 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2021.