Current Size: 95%
FOC-in-C (West)
VICE ADMIRAL SHEKHAR SINHA, PVSM, AVSM, NM & BAR, ADC
Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, PVSM, AVSM, NM & Bar ADC was commissioned on 01 Jun 1974 into Naval Aviation Fighter Stream. He was awarded the Pronobe De Trophy for standing first during the Operational Flying Training. He graduated as Flying Instructor from FIS, Tambaram and instructed on Kiran aircraft at Air Force Academy. He has flown over 2700 hrs on 18 different types, mostly from aircraft carrier Vikrant and Viraat on the Sea Harrier. He has held Command of two Sea Harrier Squadrons and the Air Station at Goa.
During his long Naval career, the Flag Officer has Commanded the Coast Guard Ship Ranijindan (during Op – Pawan, and was decorated with gallantry award for action against LTTE) IN Ships Saryu, Shakti & Missile Destroyer Delhi. He was the Fleet Operations Officer of Western Fleet during Op - Parakram. He is the only officer in the Navy who has experience of flying and operationally deploying two diverse varieties of fighter aircraft i.e. Sea Hawk (a/c fitted with hooks) and Sea Harrier (a/c capable of taking off from ski jump).
In the Flag rank, he has held appointments of Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area & Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air). He has also held the command of the sword arm of the Navy – the Western Fleet, on completion of which he was decorated with AVSM, major contribution being putting in place modified Anti Submarine Warfare & EW fighting procedures in place.
VAdm Shekhar Sinha is alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, College of Naval Warfare and National Defence College. His academic qualifications are MSc & M Phill. He is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and has been decorated twice with Nau Sena Medal (Gallantry).
On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral (with 2006 batch), he served as the Controller Personnel Services at IHQ/MoD(Navy), Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Operations, Policy Planning / Force Development and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) at HQ IDS.
