Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Indian Navy Chief Urges Army Officers Toward Tri-Service Jointness
India's Navy chief spoke to new Army officers at a graduation ceremony in Chennai.
He said future wars will need the Army, Navy and Air Force to work closely together.
He compared this teamwork to having one shared purpose.
He explained that weapons and technology have changed a lot since he joined the Navy in 1987.
Even so, he said people will still be the most important part of war.
He told the officers that having a high rank does not automatically make people trust them.
Trust comes from good character, responsibility and strong leadership.
The ceremony also included cadets from several other countries who had trained with the Indian cadets.
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan urged the Army, Navy and Air Force to train and operate together in future wars.
He said modern warfare involves longer-range weapons, advanced sensors, faster operations and multiple domains.
Swaminathan told new officers that war remains fundamentally a human endeavour shaped by leadership and perseverance.
He advised officers that rank provides authority, character builds credibility and leadership earns loyalty.
A total of 342 Indian cadets and 17 foreign cadets completed training or were commissioned at the Chennai academy.
- Who
- Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan addressed newly commissioned Indian Army officers and foreign officer cadets.
- What
- He urged the armed services to develop greater jointness and reminded officers that leadership, character and trust are essential.
- When
- The address took place after the cadets completed 11 months of training; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- The Passing Out Parade was held at the Indian Army Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
- Why
- Swaminathan said future warfare will occur rapidly across multiple domains and will require the combined strength of all Services.
- Reviewing officer
- Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Indian Navy
- Indian cadets commissioned
- 313 men and 29 women
- Foreign cadets completing training
- 7 men and 10 women
- Foreign countries represented
- Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Bhutan and Lesotho
- Training duration
- 11 months
- Key message
- The Army, Navy and Air Force should train, operate and prevail together.