G Ashok Kumar took over as the Southern Naval Command Chief

Rear Admiral G Ashok Kumar assumed the charge as the Southern Naval Command Chief, Kochi on 28 August 2012. Prior to this this, Kumar was serving as the Flag Officer at Sea Training, Kochi, where he was responsible for preparing all major warships for combat readiness. A specialist in navigation and direction, he commanded INS Kulish and INS Ranvir.

G Ashok Kumar, who hails from Ponnani in Malappuram district in Kerala, joined the Navy in 1982.  In a career spanning 30 years, Kumar served various top-notch positions such as, the defence adviser of India in Singapore, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Western Naval Command and head of Naval Training at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. He also received the Vishisht Seva Medal for his extra ordinary service to the Indian Navy.