Rear Admiral (UH) Mihai Panait

Chief of Naval Forces Romanian Navy

A graduate of the Romanian Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Mihai Panait joined the Fleet in 1996 and served in operational and executive positions onboard, on mine counter-measures ships and ashore, up to brigade level. Following the graduation from the National Defence University in 2001, RADM Panait assumed command of various ships and units. From 2009 to 2013 he commanded the frigate “Regele Ferdinand” (F221). During his command, he was deployed in various NATO and EU operations, such as Active Endeavour (2010), Unified Protector (2011) and Atalanta (2012). Additionally, RADM Panait was the first Romanian Task Group commander from its activation in 2013. His first assignment as flag officer was as chief of staff of the Fleet Headquarters and, subsequently, he was promoted to Fleet Commander. On July 1st, 2020, he was appointed as Chief of the Romanian Naval Forces. His postgraduate education includes the Command Team Training Programme in Den Helder, NLD (2005), the Naval Command College in Newport, RI, USA (2009), the Joint Strategic Leadership Course in the National Defence University “Carol I”, Bucharest, ROU (2014) and the Combined Force Maritime Component Commanders Flag Course in Naples, ITA (2017).