New Delhi: Admiral Karambir Singh on Friday took charge as the 24th Navy chief replacing incumbent Sunil Lanba.

"Admiral Karambir Singh PVSM AVSM ADC assumes charge as the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff," the Navy spokesperson tweeted.

He is also the first helicopter pilot from the Indian Navy to lead the naval armed forces. He will be Navy Chief till November 2021. Admiral Lanba passed on the baton to Admiral Singh at a ceremony in the South Block on Friday.

The appointment comes in the backdrop of the case initiated by Vice Admiral Bimal Verma to quash Admiral Singh's appointment.

(With IANS inputs)