Robin K. Dhowan

For the politician, see R. K. Dhawan.
Admiral
Robin K. Dhowan
PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC
Official Indian Navy portrait of Adm. Robin K. Dhowan, CNS
22nd Chief of the Naval Staff
In office
17 April 2014 – 31 May 2016
PresidentPranab Mukherjee
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byDevendra Kumar Joshi
Succeeded bySunil Lanba
Personal details
Born
Rabinder Kumar Dhowan
SpouseMinu Dhowan
Awards Param Vishist Seva Medal
Ati Vishist Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Navy
Years of service3 May 1975 – 31 May 2016
RankAdmiral
CommandsEastern Fleet
INS Delhi
INS Ranjit
INS Khukri

Admiral Rabinder "Robin" Kumar Dhowan PVSM, 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.[1][2][3]

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.[4] He was commissioned an acting sub-lieutenant on 3 May 1975.[5]

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 INS Delhi.

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) (ACNS P&P) in the Integrated Headquarters (Navy) and then commanded the Eastern Fleet.

He also served as the Chief of Staff at Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam and the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Western Naval Command.[4] 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 the Vice Chief of Naval Staff in August 2011.[6]

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.[3][4][7]

Personal life

Dhowan with Minu Dhowan (right) and S. Ramsay, editor of Quarterdeck magazine, 22 February 2015.
Former Indian Navy chiefs with Admiral Robin K. Dhowan (fourth-to-right) at the Conclave of Chiefs, 2015.

Admiral Dhowan is married to Minu Dhowan, and the couple have a daughter and two sons.[7]

He plays golf and does yachting.[4]

Awards

Admiral Dhowan (second-to-left), with Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur (extreme left).
Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Yudh Seva Medal Special Service Medal
Operation Vijay Star Operation Vijay Medal Operation Parakram Medal Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal
20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

References

  1. ^ Robin Dhowan takes over as Navy chief The Times of India
  2. ^ MoD moves files for appointing R K Dhowan as new Navy Chief The Indian Express
  3. ^ a b "Admiral R.K. Dhowan appointed new Navy chief". The Hindu. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d "Meet Robin K Dhowan, India's new Navy Chief". NDTV. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 24 May 1975. p. 705.
  6. ^ "R.K. Dhowan assumes charge as Naval Vice-Chief". The Hindu. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Admiral Robin Dhowan is new Chief of Naval Staff". Indian Navy. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
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Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the Naval Staff
2014-2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chief of Naval Staff
2011-2014
Preceded by
Anup Singh
 Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff
2009-2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Air Marshal T. S. Randhawa
 Commandant of the National Defence Academy
2008-2009
Preceded by Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet
2007-2008