Rajesh Babu Bonam
Weapons Specialist, Senior Project Manager, Indian Navy
Visakhapatnam
Summary
Results-driven Defence professional with over 13 years of commissioned service in the Indian Navy, specializing in weapons systems, operations, training, and strategic administration. Possess deep operational insight into missile systems, stakeholder coordination experience, and proven leadership in Defence event planning and project execution. Committed to driving indigenous Defence Capabilities, fostering Strategic Partnerships, and delivering impactful Business Growth aligned with national security objectives. Proven track record in project management and organizational leadership, overseeing infrastructure projects worth over ₹500 crores. Adaptable to changing needs and skilled in organizational and communication tasks.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Program Manager (Admin and Projects)
Indian Navy
06.2022 - Current
- Serving as Administrative Officer of a 750-acre naval residential area, catering to the welfare and operational needs of 2,500+ service families.
- Overseeing the execution, monitoring, and compliance of infrastructure development projects worth 500+ crores, including roads, housing, utilities, public facilities, and campus amenities.
- Spearheaded the International City Parade during MILAN 2024, India’s premier multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.
- Managing the end to end administration of Canteen (CSD) including procurement, fund handling, inventory control, audit readiness, and customer welfare.
- Built and maintained integrated master schedules using Pert Charts, variance reports, and issue logs to ensure adherence to baselined timelines.
- Coordinated project monitoring group (PMG) with stakeholders to align execution with organizational priorities and track KPIs.
- Implemented scope control processes, impact analysis, and change approvals to ensure project discipline and audit compliance.
Training Commander and Project Manager
Indian Navy
01.2020 - 05.2022
- Directed end-to-end training administration of over 3,000 civilian recruits annually, including curriculum implementation, scheduling, evaluation, welfare, and performance monitoring.
- Managed training logistics, budgeting, procurement, and judicious utilization of significant public funds, adhering to Defence financial regulations and internal audit mechanisms.
- Led INR 550 Crores Chilka Modernization project through in-depth planning and execution of complex stages.
- Developed strategic risk mitigation plans that reduced overall project delays by 30%.
- Adept in contract formulation, vendor management, technical bidding, maintenance contracts.
- Institutionalized sustainable practices like materiel backloading, waste management, and quality audits.
- Organised the Gunnery and Defence Expo at Bali Jatra, Odisha’s largest cultural fair, on behalf of the Indian Navy, showcasing naval gunnery systems, weapon simulators, and training modules.
- Orchestrated dynamic public displays including DK Whaler pulling and sailing demonstrations, exhibition of diverse sailboats, naval artifacts, and static ship models, greatly enhancing civilian engagement and maritime awareness.
- Fostered strong collaboration with state authorities, district administration, and civil agencies, reflecting strategic communication and outreach capabilities.
Gunnery and Missile Specialist Officer
Indian Navy
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Managed system integrations with program-level tracking of scope, budgets, and baselined schedules onboard a naval ship.
- Held operational charge of the ship’s entire gunnery suite, including heavy-calibre weapons, close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and small arms.
- Planned and executed live-fire drills, weapon maintenance schedules, and shipborne security protocols for amphibious operations and joint exercises.
- Key member of the team involved in the world's first successful K-STER to K-STER firing, a pioneering operation demonstrating autonomous mine disposal system interoperability, setting a benchmark in underwater mine countermeasure warfare.
- Coordinated with OEMs for system upgrades, trials, and defect rectification.
Assistant Project Manager (Maintenance & Support)
Indian Navy
06.2012 - 01.2017
- Coordinated with OEM technical experts and defence R&D agencies for system optimization and post-trial analysis.
- Led vendor onboarding, contract augmentation and bid evaluation processes through meticulous planning, securing optimal cost-quality trade-offs.
- Responsible for overall management, operation, and readiness of ship’s weapon systems, including missile, gunnery, and anti-submarine warfare equipment.
- Led integration of new-generation Surface Surveillance Radar, enhancing maritime domain awareness and shipborne tracking capability.
- Demonstrated high standards of discipline, confidentiality, documentation accuracy, team leadership, and policy implementation.
Education
MBA - Logistics And Supply Chain Management
Andhra University
VisakhapatnamMaster of Science - Naval Weapons
Cochin University of Science And Technology
KochiBachelor of Technology - Electrical And Electronics Engineering
J N T U Kakinada
Kakinada 04.2001 -
Skills
- Weapons Systems & Gunnery Expertise
- Large-scale Event Coordination & Defence Diplomacy
- Infrastructure Project Management
- Fund Management & Government Procurement Procedures
- Crisis & Risk Management
- Training Design & Leadership Development
- Project Management & Execution
- Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Technical & Engineering Knowledge
- Continuous improvement & Lean Principles
- Networking & Relationship building
- Strong Verbal & Written Communication
- Report Writing
Certification
Project Management Professional, Pursuing
Accomplishments
- Instituted risk tracking and issue escalation protocols, cutting schedule overruns by 30%.
- Delivered 6 concurrent naval projects by applying agile planning and resource levelling.
- Developed WBS-based tracking framework, improving stakeholder alignment and reducing delays by 48%.
- Spearheaded the International City Parade during MILAN 2024, representing Indian Navy’s ceremonial excellence and fostering military diplomacy with 40+ participating foreign navies.
- Conferred Unit Citation (2023–24) and Most Spirited Ship Award (2017-18) for operational excellence.
- Awarded FOCINC South Commendation on 15 Aug 2021 for Devotion to Duty
Timeline
Program Manager (Admin and Projects)
Indian Navy
06.2022 - Current
Joint Services Staff Works Orientation Course, College of Military Engineering, Pune
01-2020
Training Commander and Project Manager
Indian Navy
01.2020 - 05.2022
Gunnery and Missile Specialist Officer
Indian Navy
01.2017 - 12.2019
Helicopter Controller Course
06-2013
Assistant Project Manager (Maintenance & Support)
Indian Navy
06.2012 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Technology - Electrical And Electronics Engineering
J N T U Kakinada
04.2001 -
MBA - Logistics And Supply Chain Management
Andhra University
Master of Science - Naval Weapons
Cochin University of Science And Technology
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