ShantaeBpy at 03:51, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T03:51:44Z

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{{short description|Indian Navy Admiral}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Vice admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
| name = Ajay Kochhar
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=IND|size=90%|PVSM|AVSM|NM}}
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = File:Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| alt =
| caption =
| office = [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command|Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command]]
| term_start = 1 October 2025
| term_end =
| 1blankname = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]]
| 1namedata = [[Anil Chauhan]]
| predecessor = [[Dinesh Singh Rana]]
| successor =
| birth_date =
| nickname =
| birth_name =
| allegiance = {{IND}}
| branch = {{navy|India}}
| serviceyears = July 1988 - present
| rank = [[File:13-Indian_Navy-VADM.svg|20px]] [[File:British_Royal_Navy_(sleeves)_OF-8.svg|19px]] [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
| military_blank1 = Service number
| military_data1 = 03326-H <ref>https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792624</ref>
| unit =
| commands = {{plainlist|
* [[File:Andaman and Nicobar Command.jpg|22px]] [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]]
* [[File:National Defence Academy NDA.png|20px]] [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]]
* [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]]
* {{ship|INS|Vikramaditya|R33}}
* {{ship|INS|Trikand|F51}}
}}
| battles =
| battles_label =
| military_blank2 = Awards
| military_data2 = {{plainlist|
* [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Nao_Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Nao Sena Medal]]
}}
| alma_mater =
| spouse =
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
| website =
| memorials =
| module =
}}
[[Vice admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] '''Ajay Kochhar''', [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]], [[Nao Sena Medal|NM]] is a serving Flag officer in the [[Indian Navy]]. He currently serves as the [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumes charge of Andaman & Nicobar Command |url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/vice-admiral-ajay-kochhar-assumes-charge-of-andaman-nicobar-command/2966652 |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=www.ptinews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/AN_Command/status/1973397745445773686|title= VAdm Ajay Kocchar Appoint as CinC Andaman and Nicobar Command |website=X(former Twitter)|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> His flag appointments include Chief of Staff, [[Western Naval Command]], [[Commandant of the National Defence Academy|Commandant]] of the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] and [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-28 |title=Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumes charge as WNC's chief of staff |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-admiral-ajay-kochhar-assumes-charge-as-wncs-chief-of-staff/articleshow/110483653.cms |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-01 |title=Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar is new NDA Commandant |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/vice-admiral-ajay-kochhar-is-new-nda-commandant-7847961/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

He was the third commanding officer of the [[aircraft carrier]] {{ship|INS|Vikramaditya|R33}} and the commissioning commanding officer of the [[Talwar-class frigate]] {{ship|INS|Trikand|F51}}.

== Naval career ==
Kochhar was commissioned into the [[Indian Navy]] on 1 July 1988. He is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Warfare. He has commanded five [[warship]]s of the Indian Navy.<ref name="PIB - FOCWF">{{cite web |title=REAR ADMIRAL AJAY KOCHHAR ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE WESTERN FLEET (FOCWF) |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1700554 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> On 29 June 2013, as the [[ship commissioning|commissioning]] [[commanding officer]] of the [[Talwar-class frigate|Talwar-class]] [[Stealth technology|stealth]] [[Frigate#Guided-missile role|guided missile frigate]] {{ship|INS|Trikand|F51}}, he commissioned the ship in [[Kaliningrad]], Russia.<ref>{{cite web |title=INS Trikand, a Stealth Frigate joins Indian Navy {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-trikand-stealth-frigate-joins-indian-navy |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> On 20 July 2017, Kochhar took command of the [[flagship]] of the Indian Navy, the [[aircraft carrier]] {{ship|INS|Vikramaditya|R33}} as its third [[commanding officer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/854873877222014978 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

===Flag rank===
On promotion to Flag rank, Kochhar took over as the Assistant Controller Carrier Project (ACCP) at Naval headquarters. He then served as the Assistant Controller Warship Production & Acquisition (ACWP&A).<ref name="ACWP&A">{{cite web |title=Image Gallery |url=http://www.grse.in/visit/example/visit_44.html?ml=1&iframe=1#ad-image-17 |website=www.grse.in}}</ref> As the ACCP, he managed the construction of the indigenous aircraft carrier. In his role as ACWP&A, he oversaw all aspects related to construction and acquisition of warships for the Navy both from Indian as well as foreign shipyards.<ref name="FOCWF" />

Kochhar took over as the [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]] on 24 February 2021 from Rear Admiral [[Krishna Swaminathan]].<ref name="FOCWF">{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar Assumes Command of The Western Fleet (FOCWF) {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-ajay-kochhar-assumes-command-western-fleet-focwf |website=indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> He was in command of the [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] till 27 December 2021. He handed over command to Rear Admiral [[Sameer Saxena (admiral)|Sameer Saxena]] and was appointed Project Director (Operations and Training) of the Advanced Technology Vessel Project (ATVP).<ref>{{cite web |title=CHANGE OF COMMAND OF WESTERN FLEET |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1785602 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=3 October 2025}}</ref> For his command of the Western fleet, he was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=PRESS RELEASE - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVY PERSONNEL ON REPUBLIC DAY |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792586 |website=www.pib.gov.in |access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref>

After a short stint at ATVP HQ, Kochhar was promoted to rank of Vice Admiral and appointed [[Commandant of the National Defence Academy]]. On 1 April 2022, he took over from [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Sanjeev Kapoor.<ref>{{cite web |title=CHANGE AT THE HELM : VICE ADMIRAL AJAY KOCHHAR, AVSM, NM ASSUMES THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMANDANT NATIONAL DEFENCE ACDAEMY (sic) |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1812511 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=2 April 2022 |date=1 April 2022}}</ref> After a two-year stint, he assumed the charge as the Chief of Staff, [[Western Naval Command]] on 25 May 2024 succeeding Vice Admiral [[Sanjay Bhalla]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-28 |title=Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumes charge as WNC's chief of staff |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-admiral-ajay-kochhar-assumes-charge-as-wncs-chief-of-staff/articleshow/110483653.cms |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> On 1 October 2025, he took over as the [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]] from [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dinesh Singh Rana]] who moved as [[Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/AN_Command/status/1973397745445773686|title= VAdm Ajay Kocchar Appoint as CinC Andaman and Nicobar Command |website=X(former Twitter)|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=77th REPUBLIC DAY PRESIDENT APPROVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND GALLANTRY AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVY PERSONNEL |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2218584&reg=3&lang=1 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=27 January 2026}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
For his exemplary dedication, the flag officer has been awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2026, the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=PRESS RELEASE - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVY PERSONNEL ON REPUBLIC DAY |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792586 |access-date=26 January 2022 |website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref> and the [[Nau Sena Medal|Nao Sena Medal]].

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Param_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nao_Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_star.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|colspan=4|[[File:75yearmedal.svg|105x105px]] {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_30_Years_Long_Service_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|colspan=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Nao Sena Medal]]
||[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
|colspan=2|[[50th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
|[[30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|-
|
|[[20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|
|}

==See also==
* [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]]
* [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]]
* [[INS Vikramaditya]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before = [[Krishna Swaminathan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[INS Vikramaditya#Commanding officers|Commanding Officer INS Vikramaditya]]|years=2017 - 2018}}
{{s-aft|after=Puruvir Das}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet|Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]]|years=2021 - 2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sameer Saxena (admiral)|Sameer Saxena]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Sanjeev Kapoor (air marshal)|Sanjeev Kapoor]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commandant of the National Defence Academy|Commandant]] [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]]|years=2022 - 2024}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Vice admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] [[Gurcharan Singh (admiral)|Gurcharan Singh]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Sanjay Bhalla]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = Chief of Staff [[Western Naval Command]]|years=25 May 2024 - 30 September 2025}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Rahul Vilas Gokhale]]}}
{{s-bef|before =[[Dinesh Singh Rana]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command|Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command]]|years=1 October 2025 - Present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kochhar, Ajay}}
[[Category:Indian Navy vice admirals]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Flag Officers Commanding Western Fleet]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Nau Sena Medal]]
[[Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:Naval War College, Goa alumni]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
[[Category:Commandants of the National Defence Academy]]

Ajay Kochhar - Revision history

ShantaeBpy at 03:51, 24 February 2026