Vice Admiral B Sivakumar Takes Charge as Chief of Materiel

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, AVSM, VSM, took charge as the 40th Chief of Materiel (COM) of the Indian Navy, succeeding Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal), VSM (Vishisht Seva Medal). This appointment brings to the fore an officer known for his technical excellence, leadership acumen, and vast experience in naval engineering and ship acquisition.

About Vice Admiral B Sivakumar

• Vice Admiral B Sivakumar is an alumnus of the 70th NDA Course and was commissioned as an Electrical Officer in the Indian Navy on 1 July 1987.
• Over a service career spanning 38 years, he has contributed across multiple domains—warship systems, electrical engineering, naval dockyards, and strategic acquisition programmes.

Academic Credentials

He holds,

• A Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Chennai
• Postgraduate qualifications in Higher Defence Management from Osmania University
• An MPhil from Madras University
• Alumni status from the National Defence College (NDC)

These qualifications place him at the intersection of technical innovation and strategic leadership, essential for managing the Navy’s material readiness.

Operational and Technical Leadership

• Vice Admiral Sivakumar has served on INS Ranjit, INS Kirpan, and INS Akshay, gaining hands-on experience with frontline warships.
• He later commanded the INS Valsura, the Indian Navy’s premier Electrical Training Base.

Notably, he is the rare officer to have headed both key electrical directorates at the Naval Headquarters,

• Directorate of Weapons Equipment
• Directorate of Electrical Engineering

He has also held technical leadership roles on both coasts—Mumbai (West) and Visakhapatnam (East)—at the Naval Dockyards, which are central to maintenance and upgrades of India’s naval fleet.

Flag Officer Roles & Strategic Programmes

As a senior flag officer, his career included pivotal roles such as,

• Additional Director General (Technical) for Project Seabird—India’s ambitious naval infrastructure expansion
• Chief Staff Officer (Tech) at Western Naval Command (HQWNC)
• Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Mumbai
• Assistant Chief of Materiel (IT & Systems)
• Programme Director, HQ ATVP (Advanced Technology Vessel Project)
• Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition
• Director General, Naval Projects (Visakhapatnam)

These appointments reflect his strategic oversight of warship design, acquisition, and technological modernisation efforts in the Navy.

Awards and Decorations

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar has been decorated with,

• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
• Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)

These prestigious awards recognise his meritorious service and leadership in defence technology and logistics.

Legacy of Predecessor

The outgoing Chief of Materiel, Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, completed over 39 years of service. His tenure is remembered for,

• Enhancing technical combat readiness
• Ensuring high asset availability during Operation Sindoor, a long-term deployment
• Spearheading efforts to make the Indian Navy future-ready and capable of full-spectrum operations

Static Facts

• New Chief of Materiel: Vice Admiral B Sivakumar
• Date of Appointment: 1 November 2025
• Commissioning Date: 1 July 1987
• Service Years: Over 38 years
• Academic Background: IIT Chennai, Osmania University, Madras University, NDC
• Key Roles: Controller of Warship Production, Director General Naval Projects, Project Seabird Tech Chief
• Awards: AVSM, VSM
• Predecessor: Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, AVSM, VSM