INS Viraat gets new commander

Captain Puneet Chadha on Friday took over as the 22nd commanding officer of India navy's oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

One of the two carriers in service, the British-built ship was first launched in 1953, and commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1987. It is expected to be decommissioned in another two years.

Chadha, who took over charge from Captain Rajesh Pendharkar, was commissioned in the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987 after passing out of the National Defence Academy.

An anti submarine warfare (ASW) specialist, he has also commanded missile vessel Vibhuti, diving support and submarine rescue ship Nireekshak and destroyer Ranjit, and served as fleet operations officer (FOO) of the eastern fleet. - IANS