{{short description|Officer in the Indian Navy}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = Vice Admiral | name = Suraj Berry | honorific_suffix = PVSM, AVSM, NM, VSM | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = File:VAdm Suraj Berry.jpg | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | birth_date = | death_date = | birth_place = | death_place = | burial_place = | burial_label = | burial_coordinates = | nickname = | birth_name = | allegiance = {{IND}} | branch = {{navy|India}} | service_years = 01 January 1987 – 30 September 2025 | rank = 20px 20px Vice Admiral | service_number = 03101Y<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2025 |title=President approves Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous & 305 defence decorations on the eve of Republic Day 2025 |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096200 |access-date=9 September 2025 |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> | unit = | commands = {{plainlist | * INS Nirbhik * INS Karmuk * INS Talwar * INS Vikramaditya * Eastern Fleet * Strategic Forces Command }} | battles = | battles_label = | awards = {{plainlist | *20px Ati Vishisht Seva Medal *20px Nao Sena Medal *20px Vishisht Seva Medal }} | alma_mater = Indian Naval Academy | spouse = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced --> | relations = | other_work = | signature = | website = | memorials = | module = }} Vice Admiral '''Suraj Berry''', PVSM, AVSM, NM, VSM is a former Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He last served as the Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command. He previously served as the Chief of Personnel, as the Controller of Personnel Services and as Chief of Staff of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. He has also commanded the Eastern Fleet and was the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-suraj-berry-assumes-charge-flag-officer-commanding-eastern-fleet|title=Rear Admiral Suraj Berry Assumes Charge as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet {{!}} Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>
== Naval career == Berry was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 1 January 1987. He is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Warfare.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/change-of-guard-in-eastern-fleet/article26690547.ece|title=Change of guard in Eastern Fleet|date=31 March 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 November 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He served on board the Sukanya-class patrol vessel {{ship|INS|Subhadra|P51}}, the Veer-class corvette {{ship|INS|Pralaya|K91}}, and the Rajput-class destroyers {{ship|INS|Ranjit|D53}} and {{ship|INS|Ranvir|D54}}, and the lead ship of her class of destroyers {{ship|INS|Delhi|D61}}.<ref>{{cite press release |title=VICE ADMIRAL SURAJ BERRY ASSUMES CHARGE AS CHIEF OF PERSONNEL OF INDIAN NAVY |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1913021 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref>
He has also served as the flag lieutenant to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, as the operations officer of a Mobile Missile Coastal Battery, and as the fleet gunnery officer of the Western Fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/economics/2013/12/04/commodore_suraj_berrys_finest_hour_31335|title=Commodore Suraj Berry's finest hour|last1=Yemelyanenkov|first1=Alexander|last2=RIR|first2=specially for|date=4 December 2013|website=www.rbth.com|language=en-US|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>
Berry has commanded the Veer-class missile vessel {{ship|INS|Nirbhik|K88}}, the Kora-class missile corvette {{ship|INS|Karmuk|P64}} and the Talwar-class stealth guided missile frigate {{ship|INS|Talwar|F40}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.naharnet.com/stories/en/105999-russia-hands-india-long-awaited-aircraft-carrier|title=Russia Hands India Long-Awaited Aircraft Carrier|website=m.naharnet.com|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref> He served as the defence advisor to the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Maldives. In the rank of Captain, he also served as a Director at the Directorate of Staff Requirement at Naval Headquarters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/rear-admiral-suraj-berry-takes-over-as-command-of-eastern-fleet-at-visakhapatnam-ceremony-6358601.html|title=Rear Admiral Suraj Berry takes over command of Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam ceremony|date=31 March 2019|agency=Asian News International|website=Firstpost|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref> [[File:Capt. S. Berry exchanging the Baton with Capt. K. Swaminathan, on his taking over the Command of INS Vikramaditya, Indian Navy's new and formidable aircraft carrier, at Karwar on November 02, 2015.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Berry (right) hands over command of INS Vikramaditya to Capt. Krishna Swaminathan in 2015.]] As a commodore, he served as naval advisor (NA) to the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma. He then was appointed the commissioning commanding officer of the aircraft carrier {{ship|INS|Vikramaditya|R33}}. As CO, he commissioned ''Vikramaditya'' on 16 November 2013 at Severodvinsk in Russia and brought her home to Karwar. He then moved to naval headquarters as the Principal Director Strategy, Concepts and Transformation at NHQ.<ref name="CPS" />
===Flag rank=== In October 2016, Berry was promoted to the rank of rear admiral and appointed Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development) (ACOP HRD) at Naval HQ. After a two-and-a-half year stint, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) on 30 March 2019.<ref name="FOCEF">{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Suraj Berry Assumes Charge as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-suraj-berry-assumes-charge-flag-officer-commanding-eastern-fleet |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> For his tenure as the FOCEF, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 January 2020.<ref name="auto">{{cite press release|title=Distinguished service and gallantry award winners on Republic day 2020 |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197645 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> In February 2020, he moved to Port Blair as the Chief of Staff of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan takes over as Eastern Fleet Commander |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1602734 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref name="CoS, ANC">{{cite web |title=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1706897 |website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref>
On 2 August 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed Controller of Personnel Services (CPS) at NHQ, succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh<ref name="CPS">{{cite web |title=Controller Personnel Services (CPS) {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/26602 |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> On 1 April 2023, he was appointed Chief of Personnel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Controller Personnel Services (CPS) {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/26602 |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|date=4 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh to be new navy vice chief |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vice-admiral-sanjay-jasjit-singh-takes-over-as-new-vice-chief-of-indian-navy-succeeding-vice-admiral-satishkumar-namdeo-ghormade-specialized-in-navigation-and-direction-held-range-of-command-training-and-staff-appointments-indiannavy-defense-101680362502135.html |website=hindustantimes.com |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> After a short stint as COP, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command (C-inC SFC) on 6 October 2023. The SFC is responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.<ref name="India all set to set up nuclear forces command">{{cite news|title=India all set to set up nuclear forces command|author=Rajat Pandit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-all-set-to-set-up-nuclear-forces-command/articleshow/32896380.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511032234/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-30/india/27320878_1_nuclear-command-sfc-strategic-forces-command|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=30 December 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Rajat Pandit |date=6 October 2023 |title=Vice Admiral Suraj Berry is the new chief of the Strategic Forces Command. |url=https://twitter.com/rajatpTOI/status/1710517411827564547 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |access-date=16 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He retired from the Navy on 30 September 2025, after 38 years of service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Navy |url=https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1972956886275395800 |website=x.com |access-date=30 September 2025}}</ref>
== Awards and decorations == Berry was awarded the Vishist Seva Medal in 2006 for services during the tsunami relief operations in Sri Lanka and Maldives. He is also the recipient of the Nao Sena Medal in 2015 (awarded for devotion to duty).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/suraj-berry-takes-over-the-command-of-eastern-fleet-516733|title=Suraj Berry takes over the Command of Eastern Fleet|agency=Hans News Service|date=30 March 2019|website=www.thehansindia.com|language=en|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref> He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.<ref name="auto"/> He has also been awarded the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation card once and the FOC‑in‑C Western Naval Command commendation card twice.
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |COLSPAN=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Indian Navy Surface Warfare Badge.png|width=200|alt=}} |- |{{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=Nao_Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{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}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.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=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=awardstar|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}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |colspan="5"|Surface Warfare Badge |- !1st Row |Param Vishisht Seva Medal |Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |Nau Sena Medal |Vishisht Seva Medal |- !2nd Row |Samanya Seva Medal |Operation Vijay Medal |Operation Parakram Medal |Sainya Seva Medal |- !3rd Row |Videsh Seva Medal |75th Anniversary of Independence Medal |50th Anniversary of Independence Medal |30 Years Long Service Medal |- ! 4th Row |Colspan=2|20 Years Long Service Medal |Colspan=2|9 Years Long Service Medal |}
==Personal life== Berry is married to Kangana Berry. The couple have two children.<ref name="CPS"/>
==See also== * Eastern Fleet * INS Vikramaditya
== References == {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-new|reason =First holder}} {{s-ttl|title = Commanding Officer, INS Vikramaditya | years = 2013 – 2015}} {{s-aft|after = Krishna Swaminathan}} {{s-bef|before=Dinesh K Tripathi}} {{s-ttl|title=Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet|years=2019 – 2020}} {{s-aft|after= Sanjay Vatsayan}} {{s-bef|before=Major General Beji Mathews}} {{s-ttl|title=Chief of Staff, Andaman and Nicobar Command|years=2020 - 2021}} {{s-aft|after=Rear Admiral D. S. Gujral}} {{s-bef|before=Sanjay Jasjit Singh}} {{s-ttl|title=Controller of Personnel Services|years=2021 – 2023}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after = Krishna Swaminathan}} {{s-bef|before=Dinesh K Tripathi}} {{s-ttl|title=Chief of Personnel|years=2023 – 2023}} {{s-bef|before=R. B. Pandit}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command|years=2023 – 30 September 2025}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after = Dinesh Singh Rana}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Berry, Suraj}} Category:Indian Navy vice admirals Category:Flag Officers Commanding Eastern Fleet Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Category:Recipients of the Nau Sena Medal Category:Commanders-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command