 Promoted to captain on 1 January 1982, he commissioned the third Rajput class guided missile destroyer (DDG), INS "Ranjit" in September 1983 and was in command for 2½ years during which the ship set new fleet standards/records in weapons, sensors and operations.On promotion to the Flag rank in 1988 he served as additional DG Defence Planning Staff, Chief of Staff of Western Naval Command and commanded the Eastern Fleet.He was Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff for two years at the Naval Headquarters.