New Delhi: In a major rejig in the Indian Navy, Vice Chief S Lanba was on Saturday appointed the chief of the southern naval command, replacing S.P.S. Cheema who will take over the frontline western naval command, highly placed sources said.
Vice Admiral Cheema will take charge from Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra, who retires on March 31.
Chief of Personal at Navy Headquarters, Vice Admiral P Murugesan will succeed Vice Admiral Lanba as vice chief. All officers senior to Lanba, including Vice-Admirals Cheema, Soni and P K Chatterjee (Andaman and Nicobar command chief), will retire before Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan hangs his boots in May, 2016. (Agencies)