VICE ADMIRAL SN GHORMADE, PVSM, AVSM, NM, ADC (Retd)
VAdm SN Ghormade, PVSM, AVSM, NM, ADC (Retd), hails from Nagpur and is an alumnus of Rashtriya Military School Bengaluru. A Navigation and Direction Specialist who was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1984. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Naval Staff College at the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and the Naval War College, Mumbai.
He is the recipient of the Best Naval Cadet Gold Medal, V Adm AK Chatterjee Trophy, Capt BD Naidu Shield at the NDA, the ‘Binoculars’ for Best All Round Cadet, first in Seamanship and Electrical Engineering in Cadet Training Ship INS Mysore, overall first in merit in the course at the end of Sub Lt Technical courses (Admiral Katari Trophy), overall second in the Navigation and Direction Specialisation course, Distinction in United States Naval Staff College at Naval War College, Rhode Island, and the C-in-C Silver Medal in the Naval Higher Command Course at Naval War College.
He commanded the Guided Missile Frigate Brahmaputra, Submarine Rescue Vessel Nireekshak which won the Unit Citation and Mine sweeper Alleppey. As Flag Officer, he commanded the Maharashtra Naval area and Karnataka Naval Area.
The Admiral significantly contributed towards creation and sustenance of combat ready, credible, cohesive and future proof Navy through focused impetus on integrated planning, innovation, indigenisation, infrastructure development, management of allocated fiscal resources and adopting emerging technologies. He worked on the road map of Theaterisation of Armed Forces with emphasis on Tri-service synergy, jointmanship and integrated planning. The Navy has been in the forefront of Atmanirbharta and the Flag Officer gave impetus to the Atmanirbhar initiatives with dedicated efforts to encourage Indian industry along with DRDO. Sustained impetus on indigenisation has resulted in continuous increase in indigenous content in the Naval ships. Further, Indian Navy had effectively utilised ‘Make’ and ‘iDEX’ route to achieve the objective of self-reliance by involving greater participation of Indian industrial eco-system including Private Sector. Under his supervision, Indian Navy propelled towards induction of more than 110 innovative and indigenous (some of them game changers) technologies/products through SPRINT challenges. He was instrumental in encouraging MSMEs, Startups and Industry towards innovation and indigenization in Defence Industry.
He formulated, laid down the Road map & steered Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plans (2005-2022 & 2022-2037) achieving record growth & modernization and planned to build an indigenous, potent and powerful Blue water Navy (Ships, submarines, aircraft) by capability, tonnage and numbers including infrastructure. Initiated and steered the Financial Information System of the Navy that has brought in transparency and optimum utilisation of budget.
He formulated the Indian Navy Strategic Communication Guidebook and set up the Strategic Communication Committee of the Navy to pursue information operations, perception management, public diplomacy, and progress actions to enhance public awareness of Indian Navy.
Spearheaded and guided the efforts for commissioning of First indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant catapulting India into the elite list of countries building and operating indigenous Aircraft Carriers. The New Indian Naval Ensign released at this time also emulated the Raj Mudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who was instrumental in establishing the Maratha Navy, the first Indian Naval Force. The octagonal shape depicts multi directional and multi-dimensional capability of Indian Navy.
He enhanced Indian Navy’s presence and readiness in the Indian Ocean Region by proactive and strategic Mission Based Deployment and streamlined the Maintenance, Training, Operations and Deployment Cycle.
Foresaw the need for Underwater Domain Awareness for Theatre level Anti-submarine Warfare. Envisioned the setting up of Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean region, to make India a leader in domain awareness in IOR.
Formulated the first Human Capital Strategy of the Navy in tandem with future capability perspective plan, enhancing transparency, timely recruitment, enhancing motivation and trust of over 11000 officers and 65000 sailors thus transforming the HR management.
He was the Member of the high-level committee to review the functioning of DRDO and is presently on the National Advisory Council of Indian Space Association.
PRESIDENT’S MEDALS
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)-2022
Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM)-2017
Nau Sena Medal (NM)-2007
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
MSc Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Madras
Masters (Personnel Management), Symbiosis Institute of Management
M Phil (Defence & Strategic Studies), Mumbai University
KEY POSITIONS HELD AS A FLAG OFFICER
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy
Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations & Training)
Controller Personnel Services, Indian Navy
Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command
Director General Naval Operations
Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area
Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area
Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resources Development)
He is married to Sanskruti, a Home maker and they are blessed with two wonderful children Radha and Param.
