Vice Admiral Manish Chadha took charge as Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) on Monday, stepping into a critical operational role as the Indian Navy navigates heightened security challenges across the Indian Ocean Region and manages continued regional tensions.
Chadha succeeds Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, who transitioned to Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on August 1. As DGNO, Chadha will oversee operational planning, force deployment, capability development and readiness across the Navy’s key maritime theatres, placing him at the centre of India’s naval strategy in one of the world’s most contested waters.
A 1991 commissioned officer and 78th National Defence Academy graduate, Chadha brings over three decades of operational and strategic experience. His specialisation in Communication and Electronic Warfare gives him deep expertise in naval surveillance systems and information dominance, areas critical to India’s maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean.
Chadha’s command experience spans multiple frontline platforms including Indian Naval Ships Mysore, a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer that forms the backbone of the Navy’s escort flotillas, as well as the corvettes Veer and Kirpan. His sea-going tenure positions him well to understand the operational constraints and capability gaps of India’s active fleet.
His tenure at Naval Headquarters exposed him to strategic communication infrastructure development, including Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication systems that enable submarine-to-surface messaging across oceanic distances. He also oversaw satellite communication programmes, reflecting India’s shift toward space-based naval reconnaissance and command systems.
Chadha served as Naval Attaché in Moscow, providing him understanding of Russian naval doctrine and capabilities at a time when Indo-Russian naval cooperation remains a cornerstone of India’s maritime partnerships. He also directed the 2016 International Fleet Review, India’s largest naval gathering, giving him exposure to global naval operating procedures and comparative fleet structures.
As Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area, he oversaw operations in the Arabian Sea, including counter-piracy missions, merchant vessel protection and anti-submarine warfare. His charge of Maharashtra Naval Area extended his purview to India’s busiest maritime trade corridors and strategic chokepoints.
The appointment arrives as the Navy sustains elevated operational tempo in the Indian Ocean, managing China’s growing submarine presence, maintaining freedom-of-navigation operations, and coordinating with regional partners including Japan, Australia and the US. Chadha’s communication and electronic warfare expertise will be instrumental in enhancing the Navy’s surveillance architecture and information-sharing frameworks with allied navies operating in the region.