Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla assumes charge as ENC Chief

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla has taken charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC). The ceremony was held on Friday at the ENC headquarters in Visakhapatnam.

He succeeded Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, who retired after a distinguished naval career.

During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Bhalla inspected the ceremonial guard and reviewed platoons representing various ships and naval establishments. Senior officers and Commanding Officers of ships, submarines, and shore units were present.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1989, Vice Admiral Bhalla is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. Over his 36 years of service, he has commanded INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, and INS Beas. As Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, he led key naval operations, including the President’s Fleet Review (PFR-22) and the multinational exercise MILAN-22.

On shore, he has served as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command and Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters. An alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, and King’s College, he has received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Nau Sena Medal for distinguished service.