Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye AVSM VSM (Retd.) is a former Flag Officer of the Indian Navy, strategic thinker, author and board member. His 37-year naval career encompassed submarine operations, maritime security, strategic weapons programmes, defence governance and senior command.
He joined the National Defence Academy in 1983 and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987. During his initial training, he was awarded the Binoculars and the Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal for being adjudged the Best Cadet and Best Midshipman of his course. He later distinguished himself in naval and tri-service professional courses in India and overseas, including the Joint and Combined Staff Course at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, United States.
Rear Admiral Roye commanded the Kilo-class submarines INS Sindhurakshak and INS Sindhuraj, and the Akula-class nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra. His senior appointments included Commodore Commanding Submarines (West), Commanding Officer INS Vajrabahu, Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman and Diu Naval Area, Project Director at Headquarters Advanced Technology Vessel Programme (the Indian SSBN Programme), and head of the Sea Vector at the Strategic Forces Command.
He spent approximately 23 years in the nuclear submarine and strategic weapons domain, contributing to submarine construction, operations, training, capability development and Indo-Russian nuclear submarine cooperation.
Since completing his naval service, he has developed a second career across corporate strategy, governance, defence, aerospace, ESG, environmental and social leadership, and maritime affairs. He serves on boards as an Independent Director and other senior advisory roles including with Alvarez & Marsal. He is a lifelong Fellow of the Institute of Directors (Global) and a Fellow of Social and Environmental Leadership. He writes on Indo-Pacific maritime security, RAN, undersea deterrence, naval power, nuclear forces, strategic competition and international security partnerships.
Rear Admiral Roye was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020 by the President of India for distinguished service.