Vice Admiral
Surinder Pal Singh
Cheema
Although, Indian Army and Air Force have witnessed the Sikh officers as their chiefs, the Indian Navy
has not yet got a Sikh officer admiral of the Indian Navy. However, an outstanding officer in the rank of vice
admiral, S. Surinder Pal Singh Cheema just retired on 31st January 2016 after 4 decades of distinguished
service. He was born on 31st January 1956. After his graduation from Nation Defense Academy (NDA)
Khadakwasla, he attended the Defense Services Staff College (DSSC) Willington and then College of Naval
Warfare (CNW) Mumbai, and came out with flying colors. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on
January 1, 1977. As a commanding officer, he commanded the missile boat INS Nishank, the Khukri class
missile corvette INS Khanjar, the Talwar class stealth frigate INS Trishul and the Centaur class aircraft
carrier INS Viraat. He also headed the naval base INS Mandovi.
He also served as the Controller Personnel Services at the Integrated Headquarters. He served as the
Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Perspective Planning and Force Development (PP&FD) and
for DOT in two different assignments. Apart from these he served as the Chief of the Staff of Western
Naval Command and as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Fleet. He served in four different
appointments as a Commander-in-Chief since being promoted to C-in-C grade on August 31, 2012. He
served as the FOC-in-C of Southern Naval Command from 2014 to 2015; Commander-in-Chief of the
Strategic Forces Command; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CIDS) to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff
Committee; and as lastly as the FOC-in-C of Western Naval Command. He also served as the Commandant
of the Indian Naval Academy. For his distinguished services he had been honored with Ati Vishisht
Sewa Medal and Param Ati Vishisht Sewa Medal. By holding this high position in the Indian navy and
commanding considerable respect during his career he has made us all feel proud of him.
