Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, presently the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, has been approved by the government to be the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from the afternoon of May 31, 2016. The present Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan will superannuate from service on May 31, 2016.

Born on July 17, 1957, Vice Admiral Lanba was commissioned on January 1, 1978, into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 38 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Operational and staff appointments. His Sea Commands include commanding the Minesweeper, INS Kakinada, Frigate INS Himgiri and Executive Officer of INS Viraat, the aircraft carrier. Before taking over as FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command, he was FOC-in-C, Southern Naval Command, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff and the Commandant, National Defence College, New Delhi.

Vice Admiral Lanba is a qualified specialist in navigation and direction course. He attended the course at the Royal College of Defence Studies, UK. Vice Admiral Lanba is a recipient of Param Vishist Seva Medal and Ati Vishist Seva Medal.

Vice Admiral Lanba on May 31, 2016 will strike two firsts—son of a former naval officer first to rise to become the Chief of the Naval Staff and the first Mayo College alumnus to rise to become the Chief of any of the three armed forces of India.