Currently, 45 submarines and warships are under construction in the country. Dhowan superseded Sinha who lost out in the race apparently because majority of the mishaps took place under his command.
Though he has not headed any operational command, Dhowan has held various key positions and staff appointments during his career. His command appointments include missile corvette INS Khukri, guided missile destroyers INS Ranjit and INS Delhi and Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF).
The Admiral's staff assignments include key posts like Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at the headquarters in New Delhi, Commandant of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Indian Naval Adviser at the High Commission of India, London and Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at Headquarters of Western Naval Command.
“We need to ensure that we have a good leadership system in place which ensures they carry out leadership aspects, they show commitment to the Navy and the nation, compassion towards the men and women they lead.
“Credibility as a professional to ensure that every individual in the Navy carries out his duties encompassing all this would be the requirements of integrity and every individual's credibility is beyond doubt,” he said.
“Till the time we don't work together as a team and carry out our daily tasks and face challenges, we would not be able to become a top-class Navy.
“That is why, our priority would be that we will work as a team, whether it is a sailor or the commands, take forward the navy and face the challenges in the maritime domain,” Admiral Dhowan said.
The Navy chief was asked how he would he face the challenges ahead when there are issues related to seniority and whether he expected support from the Eastern and Western commands, whose heads were in race with him for the top job.
The sudden resignation by Joshi changed the line of succession in the Navy. Had he retired in August next year as per his tenure, Southern Naval Commander Vice Admiral Satish Soni would have become the next chief.
Under the new circumstances, National Defence College Commandant Vice Admiral Sunil Lamba is expected to succeed Dhowan in May 2016.
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