Arun Prakash

Admiral Arun Prakash, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC (born October 1944) is a former Flag Officer of the Indian Navy, who 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]

For the educator, see Arun Prakash (educator).

Admiral Arun Prakash PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC
Born	October 1944 (age 75) Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Navy
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	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
Awards	Param Vishist Seva Medal Ati Vishist Seva Medal Vir Chakra Vishisht Seva Medal

Early life and education

Prakash grew up in the Kashmir Valley, where his father rose to be a District Commissioner of Leh.[2] He graduated from the National Defence Academy in 1964, Indian Air Force Test Pilot School in 1976, the Defence Services Staff College in 1979, and the U.S. Naval War College in 1990.

Career

Prakash was commissioned into the Indian Navy as an acting sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1966.[3] He specialized in naval aviation, qualifying as a pilot in the Sea Hawk jet fighter, flying from the deck of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in 1968. As a junior officer, he served afloat in Vikrant, INS Kirpan, and INS Delhi. His assignments in naval aviation included flying Islander aircraft with Indian Navy Air Squadron 550, Vampire and Kiran aircraft with Indian Navy Air Squadron 551, and Seahawk and Sea Harrier aircraft with Indian Navy Air Squadron 300.

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

In the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, then Lieutenant Prakash flew Hawker Hunter aircraft for the 20th Squadron Lightnings. For his gallantry in air action over West Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, he received the Vir Chakra.[1]

The Vir Chakra citation reads:

CITATION
LIEUTENANT ARUN PRAKASH, (00590-R)

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Lieutenant Arun Parkash was a deputation to the Indian Air Force. On the 4th December, 1971, he led an Indian Air Force strikes mission to an enemy airfield. In this mission, he destroyed enemy’s heavy transport on ground and returned to base. On the 5th December, 1971, he led a very deep penetration day operational strike into enemy territory and attacked enemy air-fields heavily defended by air and ground forces. It destroyed enemy’s Heavy Transport Aircraft, attacked troops and supplies and returned to base. Throughout, Lieutenant Arun Parkash displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order.[4]

The INS Vikrant in the early 1980s, carrying Sea Harriers and other aircraft

Post-War

Promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 1 May 1976,[5] he flew the Super Constellation that year for maritime air reconnaissance with Indian Navy Air Squadron 312. He later commanded the missile boat INS Chatak, the training frigate INS Beas, the antisubmarine warfare frigate INS Vindhyagiri, and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.[6]

He was promoted to Commander on 1 July 1980,[7] and in 1983, while in command of Indian Navy Air Squadron 300, he supervised the training of Indian Navy crew members in the United Kingdom for the Sea Harrier and ferried the newly acquired aircraft back to India. He commanded two Air Squadrons and the naval air station INS Hansa. In his aviation assignments, he logged more than 2,500 hours in the air in single and multi-engined, shore-based and carrier-based aircraft.[6] He was promoted to Captain on 1 July 1986.[8]

Flag Rank

Promoted to Rear Admiral on 4 January 1993,[9] he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) and Assistant Chief of Personnel.

He was then promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on 31 July 1997,[10] and took over as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy, an appointment he served in till 19 March 1999. He then moved to Naval Headquarters and served as the Chief of Naval Personnel till 2001.

In October 2001, he became the first Commander-in-Chief of the newly established Andaman and Nicobar Command. Then, on 31 December 2002, he took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command. Following this assignment, he was appointed as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, serving for a brief period from October 2003 to July 2004.

Prakash was promoted to Full Admiral and was appointed the 20th Chief of Naval Staff on 31 July 2004.[1]

With the retirement of General Nirmal Chander Vij, Admiral Prakash took over as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on 31 January 2005.[11]

Prakash retired as Chief of Naval Staff in October 2006.[12] While serving as Chief of Naval Staff, Prakash played an important role in renewing the Indian Navy's relationships with the United States Navy[13] and in developing a vision of India's maritime strategy.

Decorations and Medals

Param Vishisht Seva Medal	Ati Vishisht Seva Medal	Vir Chakra	Vishisht Seva Medal
Samar Seva Star	Paschimi Star	Raksha Medal	Sangram Medal
Operation Parakram Medal	Sainya Seva Medal	50th Independence Anniversary Medal	25th Independence Anniversary Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal	20 Years Long Service Medal		9 Years Long Service Medal

Published writings

• From the Crow's Nest: A Compendium of Speeches and Writings on Maritime and Other Issues, New Delhi: Lancer Publishers, 2007.

References

1. "Arun Prakash to be new Naval Chief", The Times of India, 1 June 2004, retrieved 10 July 2011
2. "Admiral Arun Prakash". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
3. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 30 July 1966. p. 439.
4. "ARUN PRAKASH | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in.
5. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 4 December 1976. p. 1668.
6. "Arun Prakash next Naval Chief", The Hindu, 2 June 2004, retrieved 10 July 2011
7. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 14 February 1981. p. 188.
8. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 27 July 1987. p. 903.
9. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 25 November 1995. p. 1607.
10. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 21 August 1999. p. 1124.
11. Dec 31, TNN. "Gen Vij new head of chiefs of staff panel | India News - Times of India". The Times of India.
12. "Sureesh Mehta is new Navy chief", IBN Live, 31 October 2006, retrieved 10 July 2011
13. "US, India making military deal amid better relations", Daily Times, Pakistan, 25 March 2005, retrieved 10 July 2011

Sources

• Official Biography

Military offices
Preceded by Nirmal Chander Vij	Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee 2005 - 2006	Succeeded by Shashindra Pal Tyagi
Preceded by Madhvendra Singh	Chief of the Naval Staff 2004–2006	Succeeded by Sureesh Mehta
Preceded by First Holder	Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command 2001–2003	Succeeded by O P Bansal
Preceded by Harinder Singh	Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet 1995-1996	Succeeded by O P Bansal
Preceded by Madhvendra Singh	Commanding Officer INS Viraat 1990-1991	Succeeded by Madanjit Singh