Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, AVSM, assumed charge as the 20th Commander-in-Chief (CINCAN) of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) on June 1, 2026.
A highly experienced naval officer and specialist in Gunnery and Missiles, Vice Admiral McCarty brings more than 36 years of distinguished service across operational, staff, training, diplomatic, and tri-service appointments.
Distinguished Naval Career
Vice Admiral McCarty was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1989.
He is an alumnus of:
- Defence Services Staff College (DSSC)
- National Defence College (NDC)
Throughout his career, he has served in numerous key appointments at sea and ashore.
Major Sea Commands
The Flag Officer was a member of the commissioning crew of the guided missile destroyer:
- INS Delhi
He later completed all specialist appointments onboard the vessel.
He has commanded several frontline warships, including:
- INS Ajay
- INS Khanjar
- INS Shivalik
Important Staff and Training Appointments
During his career, Vice Admiral McCarty held several significant staff and instructional roles:
- Training Commander at the Indian Naval Academy
- Command Plans Officer at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command
- Commodore Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters
After promotion to Flag Rank in 2020, he served as:
- Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Staff Requirements)
- Controller of Personnel Services
- Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) in 2023
Commandant of Indian Naval Academy
In 2024, Vice Admiral McCarty became the 10th Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, India’s premier officer training institution for naval cadets.
Tri-Service Leadership Experience
Prior to assuming command of ANC, he served in consecutive tri-service appointments at:
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS)
- Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy, Plans and Force Development)
- Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation and Training)
These assignments provided him extensive experience in joint military planning and integration among the three armed services.
International Assignments
Vice Admiral McCarty has also represented India in important overseas roles.
Sri Lanka
He served as Directing Staff at the:
- Naval and Maritime Academy
Singapore and Philippines
From 2011 to 2015, he served as:
- Defence Advisor to Singapore
- Defence Advisor to Philippines
Vision for Andaman & Nicobar Command
After taking charge, Vice Admiral McCarty highlighted the strategic importance of the Andaman & Nicobar Command in protecting India’s maritime interests and ensuring stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
He reaffirmed his commitment to:
- Enhancing operational preparedness
- Strengthening tri-service jointness
- Improving inter-service synergy
- Advancing India’s maritime security objectives
- Reinforcing ANC’s role in the Indo-Pacific region
About Andaman & Nicobar Command
The Andaman and Nicobar Command was established in 2001 and is India’s first and only integrated tri-service operational command.
It brings together personnel from:
- Indian Army
- Indian Navy
- Indian Air Force
- Indian Coast Guard
Headquarters
- Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair)
Strategic Importance
ANC occupies a critical location near the:
- Malacca Strait
One of the world’s busiest sea lanes, making it vital for:
- Maritime surveillance
- Sea lane security
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
- Indo-Pacific strategy
- Protection of India’s maritime interests
Significance of the Appointment
Vice Admiral McCarty’s extensive operational, diplomatic, and tri-service experience makes him well-positioned to lead India’s most strategically significant joint command at a time when maritime security and Indo-Pacific cooperation are becoming increasingly important.