Former Indian Navy Chief Admiral Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani died today, an official statement said.
Admiral Tahiliani joined the navy in 1950 and served as the 11th Chief of Naval Staff from December 1984 to November 1987.
Born on May 12, 1930, he graduated from the French Test Pilot School and was accorded as an outstanding pilot and led the Indian Navy with distinction for more than three decades. He was the first to land on the deck of INS Vikrant on a Sea Hawk fighter on May 18, 1961, ushering carrier based aviation into the Indian Navy.
Admiral Tahiliani commanded the carrier borne squadron INAS 300 during the 1971 India-Pakistan war as also the INS Trishul and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. For his outstanding services to the nation and the Indian Navy, he was honoured with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM). Admiral Tahiliani’s services to the State and the people of Sikkim as Governor of the State of Sikkim between February 1990 to September 1994 shall always be remembered with respect and honour.
“The ‘Greyest of the Grey Eagles’ is an apt expression to sum up Admiral Tahiliani’s seminal and vast experience as a stupendous naval aviator. His exemplary vision catapulted the Naval Air Arm to where it is today, he was instrumental in the procurement of the second aircraft carrier INS Viraat along with its fighter complement of Sea Harrier aircraft.”