Arun Prakash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 18th Chief of the Naval Staff | |
| In office 31 July 2004 – 31 October 2006 | |
| President | A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Pratibha Patil |
| Prime Minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Preceded by | Madhvendra Singh |
| Succeeded by | Sureesh Mehta |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1944 (age 79) Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Awards |  Param Vishist Seva Medal Ati Vishist Seva Medal Vir Chakra Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Navy |
| Years of service | 1966–2006 |
| Rank |  
Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of the Naval Staff Western Naval Command Andaman and Nicobar Command Eastern Fleet INS Viraat INS Vindhyagiri INS Beas INS Chatak INS Hansa |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
Admiral Arun Prakash, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM (born October 1944) is a former Flag Officer of the Indian Navy. He served as the Chief of the Naval Staff from 31 July 2004 to 31 October 2006 and as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from 31 January 2005 to 31 October 2006. He is one of India's most decorated naval officers.[1]
Prakash was born in a military family and raised in Jammu and Kashmir. He joined the National Defence Academy, graduating in 1964. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1966. Trained as a naval aviator, he served on India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was attached to the No. 20 Squadron IAF. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for leading airstrikes deep into enemy territory.
After the war, in 1976, he attended the Indian Air Force Test Pilot School. He subsequently commanded the Chamak-class missile boat INS Chatak (K96). He also commanded the naval squadron INAS 300 and led its conversion to the Sea Harrier. He then commanded the Leopard-class frigate INS Beas (1958) which was converted to a training ship. He also commanded the Nilgiri-class frigate INS Vindhyagiri (F42). In 1990, he was appointed the third commanding officer of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat (R22). As a Commodore, He also commanded the naval air station INS Hansa in Goa.
Prakash was promoted to Flag rank in 1993 and appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) (ACNS Air). In 1995, he took command of the Eastern Fleet as the 21st Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF). After a two-year stint, he took over as Assistant Chief of Personnel (ACOP). Promoted to Vice Admiral, he served as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy from 1997 to 1999, after which he took over as Chief of Personnel at Naval HQ. In 2001, he was appointed the first Commander-in-Chief of the newly-created Andaman and Nicobar Command. He subsequently had stints as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
On 31 July 2004, Prakash assumed office as the 18th Chief of the Naval Staff. He took over as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on 31 January 2005 from General Nirmal Chander Vij.