New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Vice Admiral D.K. Joshi, who has commanded India's lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat, has been named as the next commander-in-chief of the navy's sword arm -- the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command, defence ministry sources said here Saturday.

Joshi, who is at present the chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) headquarters here, will take over from incumbent Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin at Mumbai after the latter's retirement April 31.

His appointment to head the Western Naval Command came Friday night, sources said.

Joshi, who is tipped to be appointed the next navy chief after Admiral Nirmal Verma retires less than a year from now, had taken over as IDS chief Dec 31 last year.

The vice admiral has earlier served as the commander-in-chief of the Port Blair-based Andaman and Nicobar Command, a tri-services formation, and as the commander of the Mumbai-based Western Fleet of the Indian Navy.