Rajesh Pendharkar

Last updated


Rajesh Pendharkar

Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar AVSM VSM assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command.jpg
AllegianceFlag of India.svg  India
Service/branchNaval Ensign of India.svg  Indian Navy
Years of serviceJanuary 1987 - Present
Rank IN Vice Admiral Shoulder curl.png 13-Indian Navy-VADM.svg Vice Admiral
Commands held Eastern Naval Command
Maharashtra Naval Area
INS Viraat (R22)
INS Shivalik (F47)
INS Kora (P61)
Awards Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Vishisht Seva Medal

Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command. He earlier served as the Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) at IDS HQ.

Contents

Education

Pendharkar is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 1987. He attended the graduate course of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, as well as the Naval War College. Pendharkar also attended the Naval Command College, Rhode Island, USA. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies. [1]

Pendharkar was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 1987. He is an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) specialist. His operational assignments include commissioning crew of the Sukanya-class patrol vessel INS Subhadra (P51), ASW Officer of the Nilgiri-class frigate INS Dunagiri (F36) and the Godavari-class guided-missile frigate INS Ganga (F22). [1]

Pendharkar served as the Executive Officer of the Khukri-class corvette INS Kirpan (P44) and the Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer INS Mysore (D60). He has commanded the lead ship of her class of corvettes INS Kora (P61) and the lead ship of her class of stealth missile frigates INS Shivalik (F47). He also commanded the aircraft carrier INS Viraat (R22) and was her penultimate commanding officer. [2]

His staff assignments include Flag Lieutenant to the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, and instructor at the National Defence Academy. He has also served as Joint Director in the Directorate of Staff Requirements and Joint Director in the Directorate of Personnel, both at naval headquarters. As a Commodore, he served as the Principal Director, Net-Centric Operations and as the Principal Director in the Directorate of Personnel at NHQ. [3]

Flag rank

Pendharkar was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in February 2016 and was appointed Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (ACIDS) at the Defence Intelligence Agency. He then moved to HQ Western Naval Command as the Chief Staff Officer (Operations). On 25 March 2019, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area. [3] After a year-long stint, in February 2020, he took over as the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) in Kochi. As FOST, his charter included the conduct of the operational sea training of all ships of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. [4] [5]

On 7 June 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed Director General Naval Operations at Naval HQ. [6] He subsequently served as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) at New Delhi. On 1 August 2023, he assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command (FOC-in-C ENC), taking over from Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta at a ceremonial parade held at the Naval Base Visakhapatnam. [7]

Awards and decorations

Pendharkar is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for distinguished service. [8] [9]

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg IND Samanya Seva medal.svg IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg
IND Operation Parakram medal.svg IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg 75yearmedal.svg
IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal Samanya Seva Medal Special Service Medal
Operation Parakram Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal 75th Anniversary of Independence Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Naval Command</span> Military unit

The Eastern Naval Command is one of the three command-level formations of the Indian Navy. It is headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The command is responsible for the all naval forces in the Bay of Bengal and parts of the Indian Ocean and the naval establishments on the east coast of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Naval Command</span> Indian Navy command

The Southern Naval Command is one of the three command-level formations of the Indian Navy. It has its headquarters in Kochi, Kerala at INS Venduruthy. It is the Training Command of the Indian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girish Luthra</span>

Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC is a retired officer of Indian Navy who served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command from 1 June 2016 to 30 January 2019. He took over the position from Admiral Sunil Lanba who was promoted to Chief of Naval Staff, and was succeeded by Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ajit Kumar P</span> Indian admiral

Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC is a retired Indian Navy Admiral. He served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command. He assumed the position on 31 January 2019 after Vice Admiral Girish Luthra's retirement and superannuated on 28 February 2021. Prior to this appointment, he served as Vice Chief of Naval Staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanjay Mahindru</span> Indian Navy Flag officer

Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru, AVSM, NM is a former flag officer in the Indian Navy. He last served as the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, from 31 Mar 2022 to 30 September 2023. Prior to this, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA), having been appointed on 17 October 2016. He earlier served as Flag Officer Submarines from 2015 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vennam Srinivas</span> Indian Navy admiral

Vice Admiral Vennam Srinivas, AVSM, NM is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Inspector General Nuclear Safety. He previously served as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) and as the Flag Officer Submarines (FOSM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravindra Jayant Nadkarni</span> Officer in the Indian Navy

Rear Admiral Ravindra Jayant Nadkarni, AVSM, VSM is a former flag officer in the Indian Navy. He last served as the Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group (FODAG). He previously served as the Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. Hari Kumar</span> Indian Navy admiral

Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. He is the 25th and current Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). Previously, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. In his prior appointments, he served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Chief of Personnel, Controller Personnel Services, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Flag Officer Sea Training and the Chief of the Staff of the Western Naval Command. He was the Commandant of the Naval War College, Goa and served as a naval advisor to the government of Seychelles. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, the Naval War College, the Army War College, Mhow and the Royal College of Defence Studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar</span>

Vice Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a retired officer of the Indian Navy. He served as the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. He assumed office from Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar on 30 January 2019 and served till 31 May 2021 till his retirement. He is succeeded by Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh. Prior to this appointment, he served as chief of staff, Eastern Naval Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G. Ashok Kumar</span> Vice Chief of the India Naval Staff

Vice Admiral G. Ashok Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a retired Flag Officer in the Indian Navy, who is currently appointed as the first National Maritime Security Coordinator. He works within the National Security Council Secretariat under the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He served as the 35th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. He assumed the position on 30 January 2019 from Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar who took over the Western Naval Command. He retired on 31 July 2021 after 39 years of service. He is succeeded by Vice Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krishna Swaminathan</span> Indian Navy Admiral

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Chief of Personnel. He earlier served as the Controller of Personnel Services, Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group (FODAG), Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) and Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). He was the second Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanjay Jasjit Singh</span> Indian Navy admiral

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, AVSM, NM is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the 37th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. He previously served as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) at IDS HQ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet</span> Indian Naval appointment

Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) is the title of the Indian Navy Officer who commands the Eastern Fleet, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The FOCEF is a Two Star Officer holding the rank of Rear Admiral. The Current FOCEF is Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar, who assumed office on 10 November 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. A. Hampiholi</span> Indian admiral

Vice Admiral Makarand Aravind Hampiholi, PVSM, AVSM, NM is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Previously, he served as the Commandant of Indian Naval Academy and served as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) at Naval headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanjay Vatsayan</span> Indian Navy Admiral

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations). Previously, he served as the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command. Previously, he served as the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy. He earlier served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, and as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biswajit Dasgupta</span> Indian navy officer

Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM is a retired officer of the Indian Navy. He served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. He had earlier served as the Chief of Staff of ENC from 2020 to 2021, Controller of Personnel Services at Naval HQ from 2019 to 2020 and as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) from 2016 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puneet Kumar Bahl</span> Indian Navy admiral

Vice Admiral Puneet Kumar Bahl, AVSM, VSM is a serving officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy. He previously served as the Director General Project Seabird, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) in Mumbai and as the Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area (FOGA) and Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) in Goa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atul Anand</span> Indian Navy Admiral

Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Additional Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs. He earlier served as the Director General Naval Operations, as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area and as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of the National Defence Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area</span>

Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) is a senior appointment in the Indian Navy. One of the five Area Commanders of the Indian Navy, the FOMA is a two star admiral holding the rank of Rear Admiral. The FOMA has operational control of the flotilla and forces assigned for the local naval defence of all ports in Maharashtra and the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron. Apart from this, the FOMA is responsible for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Maharashtra. The current FOMA is Rear Admiral Manish Chadha, who assumed office on 10 November 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 "Rear Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM Assumes Charge as Flag Officer Sea Training, Kochi | Indian Navy". www.indiannavy.nic.in. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  2. "Rear Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar Assumes Charge as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area | Indian Navy". www.indiannavy.nic.in. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Rear Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, takes over as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area". pib.gov.in.
  4. "Rear Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar appointed new Flag Officer Sea Training, Indian Navy". Indus Dictum. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  5. "New Flag Officer Sea Training takes charge". The Hindu. 13 February 2020. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  6. @indiannavy (7 June 2021). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 August 2023 via Twitter.
  7. "VICE ADM RAJESH PENDHARKAR TAKES OVER AS THE FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING-IN-CHIEF, ENC". pib.gov.in. 1 August 2023.
  8. "Navy Gets A New Flag Officer Sea Training | ADU Media". www.aviation-defence-universe.com. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  9. "Sainik Samachar Vol. 67, No. 3" (PDF). Sainik Samachar. Retrieved 11 April 2020.


Military offices
Preceded by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command
1 August 2023 – Incumbent
Incumbent
Preceded by Director General Naval Operations
2021 - 2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by Flag Officer Sea Training
2020 - 2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area
2019 - 2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding officer INS Viraat
1 June 2015 – 13 July 2016
Succeeded by