K. M. Ramakrishnan

Ramakrishnan graduated from the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 January 1991. He is a specialist in Navigation and Direction. After his specialisation, he served as the Navigating Officer of the Sukanya-class patrol vessel INS Sharda (P55), the Khukri-class corvette INS Kuthar (P46), the Rajput-class destroyer INS Rana (D52), the training ship INS Krishna (F46), and the lead ship of Talwar-class frigates INS Talwar (F40).^[1]

Ramakrishnan attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Army War College, Mhow. He holds an MPhil in Defence & Management, an M.Phil in Defence Studies, an M.Sc in Defence Studies and a Masters in Human Resource Management. In his staff appointments, Ramakrishnan has served as Directing staff at his alma mater Defence Services Staff College. He also served as the Fleet Navigation Officer of the Eastern Fleet and as the Command Plans Officer of the Western Naval Command.^[2]

Ramakrishnan has commanded the Veer-class missile vessel INS Nirbhik (K41) and the Sukanya-class patrol vessel INS Subhadra (P51). He subsequently commanded the Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate INS Betwa (F39). During his command tenure, Betwa was adjudged the 'Most Spirited Ship' of the Western Fleet in 2016.^[3]

As a Commodore, Ramakrishnan served as the Commodore in charge of the Kochi Workup Team. During this tenure, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 January 2018.^[4][5][6] He then moved to naval headquarters as Commodore (Network Centric Operations). As the Commodore (NCO), he represented India at the 2019 Trilateral Indian Ocean Maritime Security workshop in Fremantle, Australia.^[7]

Ramakrishnan was promoted to flag rank and was appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Communication, Space, Network Centric Operations) (ACNS (CSNCO)) at the naval headquarters. ACNS (CSNCO) is an Assistant Principal Staff Officer appointment reporting into the Director General of Naval Operations. As On 1 April 2023, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK).^[8] As FOK, he was responsible for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Karnataka, including the Naval Base Karwar.^[1][9]