Sunil Lanba

{{Short description|Former chief of the Indian Navy (born 1957)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = Admiral | honorific_suffix = PVSM, AVSM, PJG, ADC | image = Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chairman COSC and Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy.jpg | image_size = 220px | alt = | caption = Official portrait | office = 55th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee | term_start = 31 December 2016 | term_end = 31 May 2019 | president = Pranab Mukherjee<br/>Ram Nath Kovind | prime_minister = Narendra Modi | predecessor = Arup Raha | successor = Birender Singh Dhanoa | office1 = 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff | term_start1 = 31 May 2016 | term_end1 = 31 May 2019 | president1 = Pranab Mukherjee<br/>Ram Nath Kovind | prime_minister1 = Narendra Modi | predecessor1 = Robin K. Dhowan | successor1 = Karambir Singh | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1957|07|17}} | birth_place = Amarpur, Palwal, Haryana, India | death_date =  | death_place = | placeofburial_label = | placeofburial = | placeofburial_coordinates =  | allegiance = {{flag|India}} | branch = {{navy|India}} | service_years = 1 January 1978 – 31 May 2019 | rank = Admiral 23px 23px | servicenumber =  | unit = | commands = {{plainlist| *Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee *Chief of Naval Staff *Vice Chief of Naval Staff *Western Naval Command *Southern Naval Command *INS Mumbai *INS Ranvijay *{{INS|Himgiri|F34|6}} *INS Kakinada }} | battles_label = | battles = | awards = {{plainlist| * Param Vishisht Seva Medal * Ati Vishist Seva Medal }} | memorials = | spouse = Reena Lanba | relations = 2 daughters and 1 son | laterwork = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | website =  | module = }}

Admiral '''Sunil Lanba''', PVSM, AVSM, PJG, ADC (born 17 July 1957<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/admiral-sunil-lanba-takes-charge-as-new-chief-of-the-naval-staff-things-you-may-not-know-about-him_1890324.html|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba takes charge as new Chief of the Naval Staff - Things you may not know about him|date=2016-05-31|work=Zee News|access-date=2017-09-11|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911205227/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/admiral-sunil-lanba-takes-charge-as-new-chief-of-the-naval-staff-things-you-may-not-know-about-him_1890324.html|archive-date=2017-09-11}}</ref>) is a retired Indian naval officer who served as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. He assumed the office on 31 May 2016 after Admiral Robin K. Dhowan and demitted office three years later on 31 May 2019. During this time, he also served as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President of India.

== Early life and education == Sunil Lanba was born on 17 July 1957 and hails from Palwal district, Haryana.<ref name="IndianNavy">{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba will be the next Chief of the Naval Staff {{!}} Indian Navy|url=http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vice-admiral-sunil-lanba-will-be-next-chief-naval-staff|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=5 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506162954/http://indiannavy.nic.in/content/vice-admiral-sunil-lanba-will-be-next-chief-naval-staff|archive-date=6 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/palwal-village-rejoices-at-lanba-s-selection-as-navy-chief/233503.html|title=palwal-village-rejoices-at-lanba-s-selection-as-navy-chief|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222154054/http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/palwal-village-rejoices-at-lanba-s-selection-as-navy-chief/233503.html|archive-date=2016-12-22}}</ref> He attended Mayo College, Ajmer; National Defence Academy, Pune; Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and Royal College of Defence Studies, London, and is a post-graduate in Defence and Management studies.<ref name=tnie1>{{cite news|last1=N C Bipindra|title=Shadow of Operational Inexperience Dogs the Top Navy Appointments|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Shadow-of-Operational-Inexperience-Dogs-the-Top-Navy-Appointments/2014/05/04/article2204116.ece|access-date=20 December 2014|work=The New Indian Express|date=4 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914213130/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Shadow-of-Operational-Inexperience-Dogs-the-Top-Navy-Appointments/2014/05/04/article2204116.ece|archive-date=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/chief-naval-staff-cns|title=Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) {{!}} Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=2016-12-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222154035/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/chief-naval-staff-cns|archive-date=2016-12-22}}</ref>

== Military career == [[File:National Defense College Commandant Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba gives U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno a tour of the college's archive display.jpg|National Defence College Commandant Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba gives U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno a tour of the college's archive display|250px|thumb|left]] Lanba was commissioned into the Indian Navy as an officer on 1 January 1978 into the Executive Branch of Indian Navy.<ref name="IndianNavy"/> He is a Navigation and Direction specialist who has served as the navigation and operations officer onboard various ships in both the Eastern and Western Fleets. He, over four decades, has served as a navigation officer on board {{INS|Sindhudurg|K72|6}} and {{INS|Dunagiri|F36|6}} before serving as the commanding officer (CO) of various ships: minesweeper INS ''Kakinada'', frigate {{INS|Himgiri|F34|6}}, {{INS|Ranvijay|D55|6}} and {{INS|Mumbai|D62|6}}.<ref name="indiannavy1">{{cite news|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/news-events/vice-admiral-sunil-lanba-takes-over-vcns|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba takes over as VCNS|date=2 June 2014|work=Indian Navy|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141220135736/http://indiannavy.nic.in/news-events/vice-admiral-sunil-lanba-takes-over-vcns|archive-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> Promoted to substantive captain on 1 January 2000,<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=104 |date=18 January 2003|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2003/W_3_2011_174.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> he also served as executive officer of aircraft carrier {{INS|Viraat|R22|6}} and the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.<ref name="IndianNavy"/><ref name=":0" />

He has also held numerous training positions like training officer at the National Defence Academy; Directing Staff at the College of Defence Management; Commandant of the National Defence College and Flag Officer Sea Training organisation at the Local Workup Team (West), Western Naval Command.

===Flag rank=== Lanba on being elevated to flag rank, was the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG) and Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. On being promoted to vice admiral, he was the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command; Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern and Western Naval Commands; Fleet Oper and the Vice Chief of Naval Staff from 2 June 2014 to 30 March 2015.<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Vice-Admiral-Sunil-Lanba-appointed-new-Navy-vice-chief/articleshow/35849244.cms|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba appointed new Navy vice-chief|date=31 May 2014|work=The Times of India|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405212015/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Vice-Admiral-Sunil-Lanba-appointed-new-Navy-vice-chief/articleshow/35849244.cms|archive-date=5 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="indiannavy1" /><ref name="VAdm SL Takes Over Western Naval Command - PIB">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135947|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba Takes Over Western Naval Command|website=PIB|publisher=Govt. of India|access-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203190425/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135947|archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="NextCoS">{{cite news|url=http://www.abplive.in/india-news/vice-admiral-sunil-lanba-is-next-chief-of-naval-staff-335973|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lamba is next Chief of Naval Staff|date=5 May 2016|publisher=ABP Live|access-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506165803/http://www.abplive.in/india-news/vice-admiral-sunil-lanba-is-next-chief-of-naval-staff-335973|archive-date=6 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="Admiral Sunil Lanba takes over as Chief of Naval Staff - The Economic Times">{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/admiral-sunil-lanba-takes-over-as-chief-of-naval-staff/articleshow/52517064.cms|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba takes over as Chief of Naval Staff - The Economic Times|website=The Economic Times|access-date=31 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531081531/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/admiral-sunil-lanba-takes-over-as-chief-of-naval-staff/articleshow/52517064.cms|archive-date=31 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC assumes command of Indian Navy">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145806|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC assumes command of Indian Navy|website=pib.nic.in|publisher=Government of India|access-date=31 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624155439/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145806|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

On 5 May 2016, the Union Government announced that Lanba will take charge as the Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 May 2016, replacing Admiral Robin K. Dhowan who retired the same day.<ref name="IndianNavy"/><ref name=toi1/>

He took over as the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee (CoSC) from outgoing IAF chief Marshal Arup Raha on 29 December 2016. [[File:Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC assumes Command of Indian Navy 3.jpg|250px|thumb|Admiral R. K. Dhowan, the outgoing CNS, handovers the traditional telescope of the CNS to Admiral Lanba as he takes charge as the chief at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, on 31 May 2016.]]

=== Bilateral visits as CNS ===

{| class="wikitable" !Country !Date !Purpose !References |- | colspan="4" |'''2016''' |- |{{Flag|Myanmar}} |1–4 November | * Bilateral discussions with First Vice President, Vice Senior General and Service Chiefs of Army and Navy * Visit National Defence College, Defence Services Academy and Naval Training Command |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/admiral-sunil-lanba-pvsm-avsm-adc-chief-naval-staff-visits-myanmar|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff visits Myanmar {{!}} Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=2016-12-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153849/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/admiral-sunil-lanba-pvsm-avsm-adc-chief-naval-staff-visits-myanmar|archive-date=2016-12-22}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Sri Lanka}} |27 November – 1 December | * Bilateral meetings with President, Prime Minister and 3 Service Chiefs * Key note speaker at Galle Dialogue |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/admiral-sunil-lanba-chief-naval-staff-visits-sri-lanka|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff Visits Sri Lanka {{!}} Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=2016-12-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153413/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/admiral-sunil-lanba-chief-naval-staff-visits-sri-lanka|archive-date=2016-12-22}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Japan}} |19–23 December | * Bilateral meetings with Chief of Staff(JMSDF), MoS for Defence, Joint Staff |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/cns-visit-japan|title=CNS visit to Japan {{!}} Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=2016-12-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222222321/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/cns-visit-japan|archive-date=2016-12-22}}</ref> |- | colspan="4" |'''2017''' |- |{{Flag|UAE}} |26–28 February | * Bilateral meetings with MoS for Defence, Chief of Staff, Commander of Naval force * Visit to Ghantoot Naval Base, National Defence College (UAE) and Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College |<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:158684)|title=Press Information Bureau|access-date=2017-02-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227150223/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:158684)|archive-date=2017-02-27}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Oman}} |1–2 March | * Bilateral meetings with MoS for Defence, Service Chiefs * Visit to Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy and Said Bin Naval Base |<ref name=":1" /> |- |{{Flag|Malaysia }} |11–15 April | * Bilateral meetings with Deputy Minister of Defence, Chief of Royal Malaysian Defence Forces and the 3 service Chiefs * Visit to submarine base and Royal Malaysian Armed Forces Command and Staff College |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:160817)|title=Press Information Bureau|access-date=2017-04-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413070705/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:160817)|archive-date=2017-04-13}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Singapore}} |15 May – 19 May | * Bilateral meetings with Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Navy * Attend International Maritime Review (IMR) and International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) 2017 |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:161776)|title=Press Information Bureau|access-date=2017-05-14|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430020646/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:161776)|archive-date=2018-04-30}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Israel}} |12–15 June | * Bilateral meetings with Defence Minister, Chief of General Staff, Commander-in-Chief of Israeli Navy, Commander of Israeli Air Force and Commander of Israeli Ground Forces * Visit to Haifa Naval Base and other military establishments |<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-navy-chief-sunil-lanba-to-visit-israel-next-week-4693239/|title=Indian Navy chief Sunil Lanba to visit Israel next week|date=2017-06-07|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-06-07|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610042408/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-navy-chief-sunil-lanba-to-visit-israel-next-week-4693239/|archive-date=2017-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:165559)|title=Press Information Bureau|access-date=2017-06-11|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105011703/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:165559)|archive-date=2018-01-05}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Mozambique}} |23–25 July | * Bilateral meetings with Minister of National Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and the three service Chiefs * Visit to Instituto Superior De Estudos De Defesa (ISEDEF) and Hero's Square |<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=168865|title=PIB News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725183439/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=168865|archive-date=2017-07-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Tanzania }} |26–30 July | * Bilateral meetings with President of Tanzania, Minister of Defence and National Service, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Defence Forces and the three service Chiefs * Visit to the Command and Staff College |<ref name=":2" /> |- |{{Flag|Vietnam}} |4–7 October | * Bilateral meetings with Prime Minister of Vietnam, Defence Minister, Vice Minister of National Defence, Chief of General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Navy * Visit to the National Defence Academy, Vietnam Naval Academy, Naval Region 4 and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=171340|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Naval Staff visits Vietnam|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-03|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035051/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=171340|archive-date=2017-10-04}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|France}} |5–10 November | * Bilateral meetings with Defence Minister of France, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of French Navy, Director General Armament and Director General International Relations & Strategy * Visit to the Landivisia airbase, Submarine Facility at Cherbourg, Maritime Prefectures at Brest and Cherbourg |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=173257|title=Visit of Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of The Naval Staff to France|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-11-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107164739/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=173257|archive-date=2017-11-07}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Bangladesh}} |26–28 November | * Bilateral meetings with Chief of the Naval Staff * Attend the International Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (IMMSAREX) |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=173843|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC Chief of The Naval Staff Visits Bangladesh|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-11-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032031/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=173843|archive-date=2017-12-01}}</ref> |- | colspan="4" |'''2018''' |- |{{Flag|Saudi Arabia}} |4–8 February | * Bilateral meetings with Deputy Defence Minister, Chief of General Staff, Commanders of Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Royal Saudi Arabian Land Forces, Air Forces and Air Defence Forces * Visit to the Naval Operations Centre, Naval Fire and Rescue School and Western Fleet at Jeddah |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176412|title=Admiral sunil lanba, chairman, chiefs of staff Committee and chief of the naval staff visits saudi arabia|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-02-09|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210002241/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176412|archive-date=2018-02-10}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|United States}} |19–23 March | * Bilateral meetings with Secretary of Defence, Secretary of the Navy, Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, Commander of Pacific command, Commander of Pacific fleet, Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command * Visit to the Pacific Command Headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Naval Surface Warfare Centre at Dahlgreen and the Pentagon. |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=177627|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Chief of the Naval Staff to Visit USA (19-23Mar)|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-03-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151501/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=177627|archive-date=2018-03-19}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Iran}} |23–25 April | * Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and Conclave of Chiefs |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=178840|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff visits Tehran, Iran for Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) – 2018|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-04-23|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423170057/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=178840|archive-date=2018-04-23}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Bangladesh}} |24–29 June | * Bilateral meetings with President, Prime Minister and Chiefs of Armed Forces * Visit to naval bases at Chittagong and Khulna * Inaugurate the India–Bangladesh CORPAT, 1st edition |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=180148|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff Visits Bangladesh|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-06-27}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|United States}} |18-22 September | * Visit 23rd edition of the International Seapower Symposium (ISS) * Bilateral meetings with Chief of the Naval Staff; Chief of Naval Operations (CNO); Commanders of Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Fleet and Naval Forces-Europe, NAVCENT, and 5th Fleet * Bilateral meetings with Chiefs of Navies of France, Sweden, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183539|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and the chief of the Naval Staff to visit United States of America|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Russia}} |26-29 November | * Bilateral meetings with Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy, Chief of General Staff, First Deputy Defence Minister, Director, Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC). * Visit to Military Academy of the General Staff, Piskarev Memorial Cemetery, Nakhimov Naval School and Admiralty Shipyard at St Petersburg and Moscow. |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1553744|title=Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff to Visit Russia (26 to 29 November 2018)|access-date=2018-11-25}}</ref> |}

==Awards and decorations==

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- | colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Indian Navy Surface Warfare Badge.png|width=180}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.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}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} |- |Colspan=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |Colspan=4|Surface warfare badge |- |Param Vishisht Seva Medal |Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |Special Service Medal |Operation Parakram Medal |- |Videsh Seva Medal |50th Anniversary of Independence Medal |30 Years Long Service Medal |20 Years Long Service Medal |-

|Colspan=2|9 Years Long Service Medal |Colspan=2|Meritorious Service Medal - Military (Singapore) |} He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) of Singapore on 8 September 2022. He was awarded for his outstanding contributions in enhancing the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. Admiral Lanba became the first Indian to receive this award.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2022/September/08sep22_nr |title=Former India Chief of Naval Staff Receives Prestigious Military Award |publisher=Ministry of Defence Singapore |date=2022-09-07}}</ref>

== Personal life == He is married to Reena Lanba who is a qualified teacher and a home-maker. They have two daughters, named Moneesha and Sukriti, and a son named Adhiraj.<ref name="indiannavy1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135947|title=Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba Takes Over Western Naval Command|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2016-12-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415172246/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135947|archive-date=2017-04-15}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline|Sunil Lanba}}

{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=Rama Kant Pattanaik}} {{s-ttl|title=Flag Officer Sea Training|years=2008 - 2009}} {{s-aft|after= Harish Bisht}} {{s-bef|before = PK Chatterjee}} {{s-ttl|title=Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra & Gujarat Naval Area|years=2009 – 2011}} {{s-aft|after= Bimal Verma}} {{s-bef|before=Air Marshal P. K. Roy}} {{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the National Defence College|years=2012 - 2014}} {{s-aft|after= Lieutenant General N. S. Ghei}} {{s-bef | rows=2| before = Surinder Pal Singh Cheema }} {{s-ttl | title = Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command | years = 2015 – 2016 }} {{s-aft | rows=2| after = Girish Luthra }} {{s-ttl | title = Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command | years = 2016 – 2016 }} {{s-bef | before = Robin K. Dhowan }} {{s-ttl | title = Chief of Naval Staff | years = 2016 – 2019 }} {{s-aft | after = Karambir Singh}} {{s-bef | before = Arup Raha }} {{s-ttl | title = Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee | years = 31 December 2016 – 31 May 2019 }} {{s-aft | after = Birender Singh Dhanoa }} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lanba, Sunil}} Category:Indian Navy admirals Category:Commandants of National Defence College, India Category:Flag Officers Sea Training Category:Living people Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Category:Mayo College alumni Category:Chiefs of the Naval Staff (India) Category:Vice chiefs of Naval Staff (India) Category:1957 births Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni Category:College of Defence Management alumni Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni Category:Flag Officers Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area