Admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...

Rabinder "Robin" Kumar Dhowan

PVSM Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) (IAST: ) is a military award of India. It was constituted in 1960 and since then it is awarded in recognition to peace-time service of the most exceptional order and may be awarded posthumously. All ranks of the ...

, AVSM, YSM, ADC was the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. He assumed office on 17 April 2014, succeeding Admiral D.K. Joshi.

Military career

Dhowan graduated from the National Defence Academy (45th Course, Charlie squadron) on 1 January 1975. He was honoured with a "telescope" for being the "Best Cadet", and was later awarded the 'Sword of Honour' on completion of his midshipman training. He has commissioned an acting sub-lieutenant on 3 May 1975. He is a "Navigation and Direction" specialist, and during his career he has commanded the missile corvette INS Khukri, and guided missile destroyers INS ''Ranjit'' and . From 2002 to 2005, he was the Naval Adviser at the Indian High Commission at London.

Flag rank

After his elevation to flag rank, he served in various staff and instructional assignments. He was the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) in the Integrated Headquarters (Navy) and then commanded the Eastern Fleet. He also served as the Chief of Staff at Headquarters,

Eastern Naval Command 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 Ocea ...

in Visakhapatnam and the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Western Naval Command. He then took charge as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, and later served as a Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. He was appointed as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff in August 2011. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and Naval War College, Rhode Island, USA, and has completed the Sea Harrier Direction course in the U.K.

Personal life

Admiral RK Dhowan with Minu Dhowan and S

Former Indian Navy chiefs with Admiral Robin K

Admiral Dhowan is married to Minu Dhowan, and the couple have a daughter and two sons. He plays golf and does yachting.

Advisor

Currently, he is a member of the

Board of Advisors An advisory board is a body that provides non-binding strategic advice to the management of a corporation, organization, or foundation. The informal nature of an advisory board gives greater flexibility in structure and management compared to th ...

of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.).

Awards

Defence Secretary RK Mathur, and CNS Admiral RK Dhowan during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the DND

References

, - , - , - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Dhowan, Robin K. Chiefs of the Naval Staff (India) Vice Chiefs of Naval Staff (India) Deputy Chiefs of Naval Staff (India) Commandants of the National Defence Academy Living people Indian Navy admirals Flag Officers Commanding Eastern Fleet Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Year of birth missing (living people) Naval War College alumni Recipients of the Yudh Seva Medal Indian naval attachés Defence Services Staff College alumni National Defence Academy (India) alumni