Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla today assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at a Ceremonial Parade held at Visakhapatnam upon superannuation of VAdm Rajesh Pendharkar.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla (seen above on the right) inspected the Ceremonial Guard and reviewed platoons of Naval and DSC personnel represented by various ships and establishments of the Command. The ceremony was attended by all Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of ships, submarines and establishments.

Commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1989, VADM Bhalla has a career spanning 36 Years and has held a number of Command and Staff appointments, both afloat and ashore.

After completion of his specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he served as specialist onboard several frontline warships.

VADM Bhalla subsequently had the privilege and opportunity of holding challenging Command at sea, which include, INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, INS Beas and the coveted appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF).

During the tenure as FOCEF, he was the Officer in Tactical Command for the prestigious President’s Fleet Review (PFR-22) and the Sea Phase of Indian Navy’s flagship multinational exercise MILAN-22, that witnessed an unprecedented participation form Friendly Foreign Countries.

He has held important staff appointments ashore, including ACOP (HRD) at Naval Headquarters, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Director MDCC and a diplomatic assignment overseas.

Prior to assuming Charge as FOC-in-C (East), he was the Chief of Personnel (COP) at Naval Headquarters.

As COP, he held transformative HR reforms, streamlining recruitment, training advancements and driven holistic wellness and community programs for Indian Navy Personnel.

An alumnus of Royal College of Defence Studies, London, Naval War College, Goa and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, his educational accomplishments include M Phil (Defence & Strategic Studies), Masters in International Security and Strategic Studies from the King College, London, M. Sc (Defence & Strategic Studies) from Madras University and M. Sc (Telecom) from CUSAT.

As recognition for his distinguished Service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal and the Nau Sena Medal.