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2021-07-13T10:16:47Z

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{{short description|Indian navy command}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = '''Western Naval Command'''
| image = [[File:INS_Vikramaditya_(R33)_with_a_Sea_Harrier.jpg|center|300px]]
| caption = [[INS Vikramaditya]] at sea
| dates =
|country= {{flag|India}}
|branch= {{navy|India}}
| type = [[Command (military formation)|Command]]
| role =
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| garrison = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname =
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| commander1 = [[Vice Admiral]] [[R. Hari Kumar]], [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]<ref name="toi-280221">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-admiral-r-hari-kumar-takes-charge-as-western-naval-command-chief/articleshow/81253791.cms|title=Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar takes charge as Western Naval Command Chief|publisher=Times Of India|date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
| commander1_label = FOC-in-C
| commander2 = [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Ajay Kochhar]], [[Nau Sena Medal|NM]]<ref name="pib-280221">{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1700554|title= REAR ADMIRAL AJAY KOCHHAR ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE WESTERN FLEET (FOCWF)|publisher=PIB|date=24 February 2021}}</ref>
| commander2_label = [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet|FOCWF]]
| commander3 =
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}}

The '''Western Naval Command''' is one of the three command–level [[formation (military)|formations]] of the [[Indian Navy]].<ref name=inwc>{{cite web|title=Organisation of Western Command|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/about-indian-navy/organisation-western-naval-command-mumbai|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=1 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210060810/http://indiannavy.nic.in/about-indian-navy/organisation-western-naval-command-mumbai|archive-date=2013-02-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is headquartered in [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]. As the senior–most of the three formations,<ref name="reorganisation"/> the command is responsible for the all naval forces in the [[Arabian Sea]] and western parts of the [[Indian Ocean]] and the naval establishments on the west coast of India.

The Command was formed on 1 March 1968.<ref>{{cite web|last=Luthra|first=Gulshan|date=December 2018|title=50 Glorious Years of Western Naval Command|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/2018/12/19/50-glorious-years-of-western-naval-command/|access-date=31 October 2020|website=India Strategic}}</ref> The Command is commanded by a [[Three-star rank|Three Star]] Flag Officer of the rank of Vice Admiral with the title Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command (FOC-in-C). [[Vice Admiral]] [[R. Hari Kumar]] is the current FOC-in-C WNC, who took over on 28 February 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-admiral-r-hari-kumar-takes-charge-as-western-naval-command-chief/articleshow/81253791.cms|title=Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar takes charge as Western Naval Command Chief|publisher=Times Of India|date=28 February 2021}}</ref>

==History==
After the [[independence of India|independence]] and the [[partition of India]] on 15 August 1947, the ships and personnel of the [[Royal Indian Navy]] were divided between the [[Dominion of India]] and the [[Dominion of Pakistan]]. The division of the ships was on the basis of two-thirds of the fleet to India, one third to Pakistan.<ref>Bhatia (1977), p. 28: "Consequent on the partition of the country on 15 August 1947, two thirds of the undivided fleet and associated assets came to India."</ref> Two new appointments were created, the Rear Admiral Commanding Indian Naval Squadron (RACINS), the commander of the surface fleet of the Navy, and the Commodore-in-Charge Bombay, a [[One-star rank|one-star]] officer who headed the shore establishments on the western coast. To bring the service more in line with other navies, on 1 May 1952 the Rear Admiral Commanding Indian Naval Squadron was re-designated Flag Officer Commanding (Flotillas), Indian Fleet,<ref>{{cite web|title=Change of Titles in Indian Navy|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1952-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1952-04-27_107.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=27 April 1952|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>

On 30 December 1957, the office of Flag Officer Commanding (Flotillas) was re-designated Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet (FOCIF), while the command of the shore establishments was upgraded to the [[Two-star rank|Two Star]] appointment of Flag Officer Bombay (FOB) in June 1958.<ref name="Gazette_1958"/> The FOCIF and FOB reported to the [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]]. On 1 March 1968, the FOB was upgraded to the [[Three-star rank|Three Star]] of [[Vice Admiral]] and was re-designated Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command (FOC-in-C WNC). The Indian Fleet was renamed as [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] with the [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]] (FOCWF) reporting into the FOC-in-C WNC.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hiranandani |first1=G M |title=Transition to triumph : history of the Indian Navy, 1965-1975 |year=2000 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-1897829721 |pages=615}}</ref><ref name="reorganisation">{{cite web|title=Reorganisation of Naval Commands|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1968-JAN-APR-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1968-03-02_089.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=2 March 1968|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>

==Area of responsibility==
The Western Naval Command (WNC) is the sword arm of the Indian Navy and naval operations conducted on the western seaboard would be central to the outcome of any conflict at sea against [[Pakistan]]. The [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] is the two-star level operational formation of the Western Naval Command. It utilises [[Mumbai]] and [[Karwar]] as its home ports, with INS Kunjali, its HQ in [[Mumbai]].
The fleet at the WNC is based under Flag Officer Maharashtra Area (FOMA) and provides naval defence in the sensitive north [[Arabian Sea]] adjacent to Pakistan.
[[INS Kadamba|INS ''Kadamba'']], a large naval base, was constructed under Project Seabird and completed in 2005. This [[naval base]], at [[Karwar]] in [[Karnataka]], is used exclusively by the Indian Navy.<ref name=inwc />

== Capabilities ==
The Flagship carrier of the [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] is INS ''Vikramaditya''. The WNC is equipped with submarine pens, a carrier dock and main maintenance dockyards. The Carrier Battle Group of the Western Fleet consists of [[INS Vikramaditya|INS ''Vikramaditya'']], [[Delhi class destroyer|''Delhi'' class destroyer]]s, [[Talwar class frigate|''Talwar'' class frigate]]s, [[Brahmaputra class frigate|''Brahmaputra'' class frigate]]s, [[INS Kolkata]] Indian navy's brand new destroyer<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.firstpost.com/india/delay-mars-main-air-defence-weapon-deployment-ins-kolkata-1662943.html|title = Delay mars main air defence weapon deployment on INS Kolkata|date = 13 August 2014}}</ref> and [[Sindhughosh class submarine|''Sindhughosh'' class submarine]]s. The Naval Aviation is provided by [[MiG-29K ]]fighters along with airborne early warning [[Kamov Ka-31]] Helicopters.

Full-fledged shipbuilding facilities on the western seaboard include the [[Mazagon Dock Limited]] in Mumbai, the [[Goa Shipyard Limited]] and the [[Cochin Shipyard]] Ltd in [[Kerala]], which is India's largest repair dry dock.

== Organization ==
The Western Naval Command is organized as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/content/organisation|title=Organisation {{!}} Indian Navy|website=indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=2016-10-17}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Post
!Current Holder
!References
|-
|Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief
|[[Vice admiral|Vice Admiral]] [[R. Hari Kumar]], PVSM, AVSM, VSM
|<ref name="toi-280221"/>
|-
|Chief of Staff
|[[Vice admiral|Vice Admiral]] [[R. B. Pandit]], AVSM
|<ref>{{cite web |title=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1140223632230121473 |url=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1140223632230121473 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]] (FOCWF)
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Ajay Kochhar]], NM
|<ref name="pib-280221"/>
|-
|Flag Officer Maharashtra Naval Area
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] Atul Anand, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|<ref>{{cite web |title=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1363807545777811457 |url=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1363807545777811457 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Flag Officer Goa Area (FOGA) & Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA)
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Philipose George Pynumootil]], AVSM, NM
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval leg of Indo-Russian tri-service exercise starts in Goa |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/naval-leg-of-indo-russian-tri-service-exercise-starts-in-goa/articleshow/72480409.cms?from=mdr |website=The Economic Times |date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group]] (FODAG)
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Krishna Swaminathan]], AVSM, VSM
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jun 11 |first1=TNN / |title=Before rescue, Navy quelled fear in sailors {{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/before-rescue-navy-quelled-fear-in-sailors/articleshow/83413127.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Flag Officer Karnataka Naval Area (FOK)
|Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh, NM
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh Assumes Charge as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Area {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-mahesh-singh-assumes-charge-flag-officer-commanding-karnataka-area |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|Admiral Superintendent Dockyard (ASD) - Mumbai
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] B. Sivakumar, VSM
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral B Sivakumar Takes Over as Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard, Mumbai {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-b-sivakumar-takes-over-admiral-superintendent-naval-dockyard-mumbai |website=indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|[[Commodore Commanding Submarines (West)]]
|
|
|}

==Naval bases==
Naval bases under Western Naval Command are the following<ref>{{Cite web|title = Organisation of Western Naval Command, Mumbai {{!}} Indian Navy|url = http://indiannavy.nic.in/content/organisation-western-naval-command-mumbai#|website = indiannavy.nic.in|access-date = 2015-12-29}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:left;" | Base
!City
! style="text-align:left;" | [[States and territories of India|State/Territory]]
!Role
|-
| [[INS Dwarka]]
|Okha
| rowspan="2" | [[Gujarat]]
|Logistics and Maintenance support
|-
|[[INS Sardar Patel]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = INS Sardar Patel: Indian Navy's new base commissioned in Gujarat - The Economic Times|url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ins-sardar-patel-indian-navys-new-base-commissioned-in-gujarat/articleshow/47213260.cms|website = The Economic Times|access-date = 2015-12-29}}</ref>
|Porbandar
|Logistics Support
|-
| [[INS Kadamba]]
| rowspan="3" |Karwar
| rowspan="3" | Karnataka
|Logistics and Maintenance support
|-
|[[INS Vajrakosh]]
|Naval ammunition and missile depot
|-
|[[INHS Patanjali]]
|Naval Hospital
|-
|INS Gomantak
|Vasco da gama
| rowspan="3" |Goa
|Logistics and Maintenance support
|-
|[[INS Hansa]]
|Dabolim
|Naval Air Station
|-
|INHS Jeevanti
|Vasco-da-gama
|Naval Hospital
|-
|[[INS Angre]]
| rowspan="10" |Mumbai
| rowspan="10" |Maharashtra
|Logistics and Administrative support
|-
|INS Abhimanyu
|[[MARCOS]] base
|-
|INS Agnibahu
|Missile boat squadron base
|-
|INHS Asvini
|Naval Hospital
|-
|INS Kunjali
|Naval Air Station
|-
|[[INS Shikra]]
|Naval Air Station
|-
|INS Tanaji
|Naval ammunition depot
|-
|[[INS Trata]]
|Coastal Missile Defense
|-
|INS Tunir
|Naval missile depot
|-
|[[INS Vajrabahu]]
|Submarine base
|}

== List of Commanders ==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" | Appointment Date
! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" | Left Office
! scope="col" style="width: 600px;" | Notes
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | References
|-
| colspan="6" |'''Commodore-in-Charge Bombay (COMBAY)'''
|-
|rowspan='5'|[[Commodore (India)|Commodore]]
|Henry Richmond Inigo-Jones
|15 August 1947
|31 December 1950
|Formerly [[Royal Indian Navy]].
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Note|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1950-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1950-12-30_334.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=30 December 1950|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|R. M. T. Taylor
|31 December 1950
|March 1954
|Seconded from the [[Royal Navy]]
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Senior Naval Officers' Conference Opens - Admiral Pizey's Address|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1952-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1952-12-03_307.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=3 December 1952|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ajitendu Chakraverti]]
|March 1954
|16 November 1954
|First Indian to hold the appointment.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Note|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-12-05_386.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=5 December 1953|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Adhar Kumar Chatterji]]
|17 November 1954
|November 1956
|Later served as Chief of the Naval Staff.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Change in Bombay Naval Command|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1954%20DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1954-11-15_334.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=15 November 1954|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]]
|November 1956
|12 June 1958
|Later served as Chief of the Naval Staff.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Commodore Soman to Take Over Bombay Command|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1956-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1956-10-15_166.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=15 October 1956|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Gazette_1958">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=188 |date=16 August 1958 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="6" |'''Flag Officer Bombay (FOB)'''
|-
|rowspan='4'|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]]
|Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman
|12 June 1958
|April 1960
|Later Chief of the Naval Staff.
|<ref name="new_deputy">{{cite web|title=New Deputy Chief of Naval Staff|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1962-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1962-05-14_188.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=14 May 1962|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[S. G. Karmarkar]]
|June 1960
|June 1964
|
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=312 |date=26 November 1960 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1960/O-1948-1960-0048-87707.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=330 |date=15 August 1964 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1964/O-1798-1964-0033-81989.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|R. S. David
|June 1964
|15 February 1968
|
|<ref name="Krishnan_new_VCNS">{{cite web|title=Commodore Krishnan New Navy Vice Chief|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1967-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-VOL-2/PDF/DEF-1967-12-11_192.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=11 December 1967|access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=S. M. Nanda|url=https://www.timescontent.com/syndication-photos/reprint/news/621585/sm-nanda-rs-david-rear-admiral-indi.html|website=Times of India Group|date=16 February 1968|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda]]
|16 February 1968
|1 March 1968
|Later Chief of the Naval Staff.
|<ref name="Krishnan_new_VCNS"/>
|-
| colspan="6" |'''Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command (FOC-in-C WNC)'''
|-
| rowspan="30" |[[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
|Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda
|1 March 1968
|28 February 1970
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff
|<ref>{{cite book |title=Services chiefs of India |year=2007 |publisher=Northern Book Centre |isbn=9788172111625 |pages=111}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Upgradations in Defence Services Appointments |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1968-JAN-APR-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1968-03-01_081.pdf |publisher=Press Information Bureau - Archive |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Nilakanta Krishnan]]
|28 February 1970
|12 February 1971
|
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Chatterji Hands Over Charge to Admiral Nanda |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1970-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1970-02-28_085.pdf|publisher=Press Information Bureau - Archive|date=28 February 1970 |access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sourendra Nath Kohli]]
|12 February 1971
|27 February 1973
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Sourendra Nath Kohli, Padma Bhushan, PVSMAdmiral Sourendra Nath Kohli, Padma Bhushan, PVSM |url=http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=83 |website=Indian Navy Information Resource and Facilitation Centre |publisher=Indian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410073723/http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=83 |archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref>
|-
|[[Jal Cursetji]]
|27 February 1973
|28 February 1976
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Cursetji To Head Western Naval Command|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1973-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1973-02-14_083.pdf|publisher=Press Information Bureau - Archive|date=14 February 1973 |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Senior Naval Appointments|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1976-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1976-02-28_054.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=28 February 1976|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ronald Lynsdale Pereira]]
|28 February 1976
|5 April 1977
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff
|<ref>{{cite web|title=New Senior Naval Appointments|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1976-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1976-02-28_054.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=28 February 1976|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Admiral Pereira Takes Over as Vice Chief of Naval Staff|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1977-JAN-JULY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-PART-I/PDF/DEF-1977-04-05_070.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=5 April 1977|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Rustom K. S. Ghandhi]]
|April 1977
|3 March 1979
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Senior Naval Officers' Conference|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1978-SEP-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1978-11-05_100.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=5 November 1978|access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[V. E. C. Barboza]]
|3 March 1979
|March 1981
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Defence Snippets|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1979-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-PART-I/PDF/DEF-1979-04-09_152.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=9 April 1979|access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Manohar Prahlad Awati]]
|March 1981
|30 March 1983
|
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Vice Admiral M P Awati, distinguished and genial senior officer in the Indian Navy – obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2019/01/11/vice-admiral-m-p-awati-distinguished-genial-senior-officer-indian/ |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=11 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=T. N. Raghunatha |title=Iconic Vice Admiral Awati (Retd) passes away in Satara |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/india/iconic-vice-admiral-awati--retd--passes-away-in-satara.html |work=The Pioneer |date=5 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Admiral Awati Inaugurates Naval Diving Squadron|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1981-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1981-03-14_077.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=14 March 1981|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani]]
|31 March 1983
|30 April 1984
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Admiral Tahiliani Takes Over Western Naval Command|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1983-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1983-03-31_102.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=31 March 1983|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
|Subimal Mookerjee
|30 April 1984
|28 February 1986
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Mookerjee Takes Over Western Naval Command|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1984-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1984-04-29_159.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=29 April 1984|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Subimal Mookerjee Retires From Navy|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1986-JAN-JULY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1986-03-01_127.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=1 March 1986|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
|S Jain
|28 February 1986
|31 December 1990
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Jain Takes Over Western Naval Command|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1986-JAN-JULY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1986-02-26_121.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=28 February 1986|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-navy-rocked-by-major-succession-scandal/1/315770.html|title=Indian Navy rocked by major succession scandal|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|H. Johnson
|1 January 1991
|31 August 1992
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=New Vice Chief, Flag Officer Commanders-in-Chief and Deputy Chief For Indian Navy|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1990-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-II/PDF/DEF-1990-12-28_181.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=28 December 1990|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[KASZ Raju]]
|31 August 1992
|31 December 1994
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral KASZ Raju|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1992-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1992-08-31_196.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=31 August 1992|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Vishnu Bhagwat]]
|31 December 1994
|30 September 1996
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat Takes Over as FOC-in-C (West)|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1994-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1994-12-31_440.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=31 December 1994|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat Takes Over as Chief of Indian Navy|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1996-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-III/PDF/DEF-1996-09-30_111.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=28 December 1990|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|K K Kohli
|
|
|
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-navy-rocked-by-major-succession-scandal/1/315770.html|title=Indian Navy rocked by major succession scandal|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Madhvendra Singh]]
|1 April 1998
|31 March 2001
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff, and as [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
|<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xvs_CgAAQBAJ&q=Madanjit+Singh+western+naval+command&pg=PT176|title=The Sinking of INS Khukri: Survivor's Stories|last=Cardozo|first=Major General Ian|date=2006-12-01|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited|isbn=9789351940999|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2001/roct2001/29102001/r2910200110.html|title=Latest Releases|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|Vinod Pasricha
|1 April 2001
|31 December 2002
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Naval Appointments|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/2001-JAN-MARCH-DEFENCE-I/PDF/DEF-2001-03-01_150.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=1 March 2001|access-date=4 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Arun Prakash]]
|1 January 2003
|30 September 2003
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff, and as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=1868|title=Vice Admiral Arun Prakash,PVSM,AVSM,VrC,VSM,ADC will be the new Naval Chief|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/home/vice-admiral-arun-prakash-takes-over-as-cinc-of-wnc_73639.html|title=Vice Admiral Arun Prakash takes over as C-in-C of WNC|date=2002-12-31|work=Zee News|access-date=2017-10-24|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Madanjit Singh
|1 October 2003
|28 February 2006
|
|<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/admiral-byce-named-flag-officer-cic-of-western-naval-command_278690.html|title=Admiral Byce named flag officer CIC of Western Naval Command|date=2006-02-28|work=Zee News|access-date=2017-10-24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/22/stories/2003092204291100.htm|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=New Naval appointments|date=2003-09-22|access-date=2017-10-24}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|-
|Sangram Singh Byce
|1 March 2006
|31 July 2007
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=16031|title=New Flag Appointments in the Navy|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
|-
|Jagjit Singh Bedi
|1 August 2007
|30 April 2009
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=12271|title=New Deputy Chief for the Navy|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/07/31/vice-admiral-bedi-takes-charge-of-western-naval-command-1185869091.html|title=Bedi takes charge of Western Naval Command|work=www.oneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-24|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sanjeev Bhasin]]
|1 May 2009
|30 April 2012
|
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-sanjeev-bhasin-to-head-the-western-naval-command-1251285|title=Sanjeev Bhasin to head the Western Naval Command {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2009-04-29|work=dna|access-date=2017-10-24|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Devendra Kumar Joshi]]
|1 May 2012
|31 August 2012
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff. Current [[List_of_lieutenant_governors_of_the_Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands|Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands]].
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/D-K-Joshi-is-new-chief-of-Western-Naval-Command/articleshow/8129905.cms|title=D K Joshi is new chief of Western Naval Command - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Shekhar Sinha|Sekhar Sinha]]
|1 September 2012
|31 May 2014
|Retired from the Navy after being superseded.
|<ref name="pib.nic.in">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=86874|title=Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha PVSM AVSM NM& BAR, ADC Appointed as Commander in Chief Western Naval Command to Take Over from Vice Admiral DK Joshi|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Anil Chopra (admiral)|Anil Kumar Chopra]]
|1 June 2014
|31 March 2015
|
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Vice-Admiral-Anil-Chopra-takes-over-as-Western-Naval-Commander/articleshow/36159986.cms|title=Vice Admiral Anil Chopra takes over as Western Naval Commander - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Surinder Pal Singh Cheema]]
|1 April 2015
|31 January 2016
|Also headed the [[Strategic Forces Command]] and the [[Southern Naval Command]], apart from serving as the [[Chief of Integrated Defence Staff]].
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/content/vadm-sps-cheema-takes-over-foc-cwest-0|title=VAdm SPS Cheema takes over as FOC-in-C(West) {{!}} Indian Navy|website=indiannavy.nic.in|language=en|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=117823|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba takes over from Vice Admiral SPS Cheema as the Commander-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sunil Lanba]]
|1 February 2016
|31 May 2016
|Later served as Chief of Naval Staff, and as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135947|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba Takes Over Western Naval Command|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Girish Luthra]]
|1 June 2016
|31 January 2019
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vice-admiral-girish-luthra-takes-over-western-naval-command|title=Vice Admiral Girish Luthra takes over Western Naval Command {{!}} Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|language=en|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145783|title=Vice Admiral Girish Luthra Takes Over Western Naval Command|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ajit Kumar P]]
|1 February 2019
|28 February 2021
|
|<ref>{{cite tweet|user=indiannavy|number=1090817788447518720|date=2019-01-31|title=VAdm P Ajit Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM takes over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, the premier Command of #IndianNavy in an impressive ceremony at Mumbai. Returns where he has commanded two frontline Destroyers + stealth frigate & was Chief Staff Offr (Ops)}}</ref>
|-
|[[R. Hari Kumar]]
|28 February 2021
|Incumbent
|
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-admiral-r-hari-kumar-takes-charge-as-western-naval-command-chief/articleshow/81253791.cms|title=Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar takes charge as Western Naval Command Chief|publisher=Times Of India|date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==
* [[Eastern Naval Command]]
* [[Southern Naval Command]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Military of India}}
{{Indian Navy}}

[[Category:Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Naval units and formations of India]]
[[Category:Commands of the Indian Navy]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 9 February 2022
Line 33:		Line 33:

	\| commander2_label = [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet\|FOCWF]]		\| commander2_label = [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet\|FOCWF]]
	\| commander3 =
	\| ~~commander3_label~~ =		\| commander3_label = FOMA
			\| commander3 = [[Rear Admiral]] [[Sandeep Mehta]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal\|VSM]], [[Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Naval Area\|FOMA]]<ref name="PIB-FOMA"> {{cite web \|title=REAR ADMIRAL MEHTA TAKES OVER AS FOMA \|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1782277
			\|website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref>

	\| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->		\| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
	\| identification_symbol =		\| identification_symbol =
Line 80:		Line 83:
	\|<ref>{{cite web \|title=CHANGE OF COMMAND OF WESTERN FLEET \|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1785602 \|website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref>		\|<ref>{{cite web \|title=CHANGE OF COMMAND OF WESTERN FLEET \|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1785602 \|website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\|Flag Officer Maharashtra Naval Area		\|Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area
	\|[[Rear admiral (India)\|Rear Admiral]] Sandeep Mehta, [[Vishisht Seva Medal\|VSM]]		\|[[Rear admiral (India)\|Rear Admiral]] Sandeep Mehta, [[Vishisht Seva Medal\|VSM]]
	\|<ref>{{cite web \|title=Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta Takes Over as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area \|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1782277 \|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>		\|<ref>{{cite web \|title=Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta Takes Over as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area \|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1782277 \|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>

Western Naval Command - Revision history

KaleyCountryman: basic reworked structure for clarity and added references

Bot: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

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>Zwerubae: /* Organization */ Updated info.

imported>Zwerubae at 10:16, 13 July 2021