Ravi Kumar Dhingra

{{Infobox military person

| honorific_prefix = Rear Admiral

| name = R. K. Dhingra

| honorific_suffix = VSM

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| image = File:RAdm RK Dhingra.jpg

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| allegiance = {{IND}}

| branch = {{navy|India}}

| serviceyears = 1992 – present

| rank = 20px 20px Rear Admiral

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| commands = Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area
INS Vajrabahu
{{ship|INS|Gomati|F21}}
{{ship|INS|Sindhughosh|S55}}
{{ship|INS|Vagli|S42}}

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| alma_mater = Indian Naval Academy

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Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra, VSM (born 25 July 1970) is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area. A submariner, he earlier served as the Commodore Commanding Submarines (West).

Naval career

File:54th_Submarine_Day_commemorated_at_Western_Naval_Command_01.jpg, laying a wreath on 54th Submarine Day at the Submarine Memorial in Mumbai.]]

Dhingra graduated from the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 January 1992. He joined the submarine arm in 1994 and is a specialist in Navigation and Direction.{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Ravi K Dhingra takes charge |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rear-admiral-ravi-k-dhingra-takes-charge/articleshow/99801512.cms?from=mdr |website=The Times of India |access-date=8 September 2023 |date=27 April 2023}} After his specialisation, he served as the Navigating Officer of the Vela-class submarine {{ship|INS|Vagir|S41}} and the Sindhughosh-class submarine {{ship|INS|Sindhushastra|S65}}.{{cite web |title=Change of Command - Flag Officer Commanding TN and P Naval Area {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/change-command-flag-officer-commanding-tn-and-p-naval-area |website=indiannavy.nic.in |access-date=8 September 2023}}

Dhingra attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has a Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies and an M.Phil in Strategic Studies from the University of Mumbai. In his staff appointments, Dhingra has served as Staff Officer (Operations) and Commander Submarines at the submarine base INS Vajrabahu.{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra Assumes Charge as the Fotna |url=https://sainiksamachar.nic.in/press-realease-details/4866 |website=sainiksamachar.nic.in |access-date=8 September 2023}}

Dhingra has commanded the Vela-class submarine {{ship|INS|Vagli|S42}}. He served as the executive officer of the Sindhughosh-class submarine {{ship|INS|Sindhuraj|S57}}. He subsequently commanded her sister-boat {{ship|INS|Sindhughosh|S55}}. Dhingra also commanded the Godavari-class guided missile frigate {{ship|INS|Gomati|F21}}.{{cite web |title=Two Indian ships take part in UAE-India naval exercise |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/two-indian-ships-take-part-in-uae-india-naval-exercise-1.2190342 |website=gulfnews.com |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=en |date=18 March 2018}} During his command tenure, Gomati was adjudged the 'Most Spirited Ship' of the Western Fleet in 2018.{{cite web |title=Captain RK Dhingra Commanding Officer INS Gomati receives Most Spirited ship trophy from VAdm Girish Luthra |url=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/979635095626633218 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=en}} For his command of Gomati, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 January 2019.{{cite web |title=Distinguished Service and Gallantry Award Winners on Republic Day 2019 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1561429 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=8 September 2023}}

As a Commodore, Dhingra was appointed Commodore Commanding Submarines (West) (COMCOS (W)). As COMCOS, he also dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer INS Vajrabahu, and commanded the 10th submarine squadron and the 11th submarine squadron. He subsequently served as the Principal Director Submarine Operations at naval headquarters.{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra takes over as Flag Officer Commanding TN & Puducherry Naval Area |url=https://navjeevanexpress.com/rear-admiral-ravi-kumar-dhingra-takes-over-as-flag-officer-commanding-tn-puducherry-naval-area/ |website=Navjeevan Express |access-date=8 September 2023 |date=26 April 2023}}

=Flag rank=

Dhingra was promoted to flag rank and was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA). As FOTNA, he is responsible for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Awards and decorations

Dhingra was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2019 and the Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation Card in 2004.

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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|width=106}}

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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=75yearmedal.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_30_Years_Long_Service_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}

colspan=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}

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Vishisht Seva Medal

|Samanya Seva Medal

|Operation Vijay Medal

|Operation Parakram Medal

Sainya Seva Medal

|75th Independence Anniversary Medal

|50th Independence Anniversary Medal

|30 Years Long Service Medal

|20 Years Long Service Medal

|9 Years Long Service Medal