NOV 30:Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, has officially assumed the role of Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A) on 28 November 2025, marking another milestone in a distinguished naval career that spans more than 38 years. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987, the Vice Admiral is academically accomplished, holding a Post-Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Throughout his service, Vice Admiral Sadhu has held a series of prominent operational, staff, and technical appointments. His sea tenures include serving on the iconic aircraft carrier INS Viraat, as well as frontline frigates INS Brahmaputra and INS Dunagiri. His experience extends deeply into naval repair, production, and engineering domains. Before rising to the Flag Rank, he served in pivotal positions such as Additional General Manager (Production) at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, Commodore Superintendent at Naval Ship Repair Yard, Karwar, and Principal Director Marine Engineering at Naval Headquarters.
A significant chapter of his career was his involvement in the acquisition and modernisation of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia. He held multiple project roles, including Senior Naval Engineer Overseer at Severodvinsk, Director Aircraft Carrier Projects, and Principal Director Aircraft Carrier Projects, contributing decisively to one of the Navy’s largest platform acquisitions.
Upon elevation to Flag Rank, he continued to lead major naval engineering and design domains, serving as Additional Director General at the Warship Design Bureau (Submarine Design Group), Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at both Eastern and Western Naval Commands, and Admiral Superintendent of the Visakhapatnam Dockyard. Uniquely, he has headed two major naval dockyards on both coasts—an honour few officers attain.
Most recently, he served as Programme Director of the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Programme, overseeing strategic platforms of national importance. He succeeds Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, AVSM, NM, who retires after an illustrious 38-year tenure during which eight ships were commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Sadhu’s extensive expertise is expected to significantly bolster India’s indigenous warship production and modernisation efforts.
