Rear Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale Takes Over as Fleet Commander of the Sword Arm

Mumbai. The ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet witnessed a change of guard on Friday, August 23. Rear Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale, NM took over the Command of Western Fleet from Rear Admiral CR Praveen Nair, NM at a ceremonial parade held in Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

Rear Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale, a second generation Naval Officer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 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 IN Ships 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.