Vice Admiral Swaminathan has been serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command since July 31 of last year. (File Photo) Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan is set to become the next Chief of the Naval Staff at the end of this month, the Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday. The announcement comes three weeks before the current Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, retires from service on May 31. Vice Admiral Swaminathan has been serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command since July 31 of last year. Under his leadership, the Indian Navy deployed several ships around the Persian Gulf region to escort Indian merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amidst the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US. His colleagues describe him as a warm and highly knowledgeable individual, well-versed in the complex aspects and regulations governing maritime affairs. “He is a perfectionist at work and has a keen eye for detail.…