15th October, 2003
Ministry of Defence  


VICE ADMIRAL YASHWANT PRASAD, PVSM, AVSM, VSM


Vice Admiral Yashwant Prasad assumed charge of the Southern Naval Command with its headquarters at Kochi on 15 Oct 03. A specilist in Navigation and Direction, the Flag Officer is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, and the General Staff Academy (Varashilov), Moscow, where he qualified the course with distinction.

Vice Admiral Prasad has commanded four frontline ships in the Indian Navy, namely IN SDB-T52, the Training Frigate INS Brahmaputra where he was also the Senior Officer of the First Training Squadron (TS I), the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir and the Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat. On becoming Rear Admiral in Dec 94, he shouldered responsibilities as ACNS (Ops), Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command before assuming command of the prestigious Western Fleet. He was last posted at Naval Headquarters as Chief of Personnel since 10 Jan 03.

For his distinguished services, the Flag Officer has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1993, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2003.