Vice-Admiral RP Suthan on Monday took over as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) at the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi from Vice Admiral JS Bedi, slated to take over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command this month-end.
Vice Admiral Bedi, on promotion, succeeds Vice Admiral SCS Bangara who retires on July 31.
Vice Admiral Suthan, hitherto Controller-Personnel Services at the Naval Headquarters, is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala, and was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy in July 1970. He later specialised in Navigation and Direction.
He also has the distinction of commanding a naval fleet—and the last vessel commanded by him was INS Ganga.
Meanwhile, the slot vacated by Vice Admiral Suthan—that of Controller—Personnel Services, is to be filled by Rear Admiral SK Damle currently ACNS (Air), on promotion to Vice Admiral.