Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed, (ND), ndc, psc was born in 1957 at Kapasia under Gazipur District. He joined Bangladesh Navy in 1976 and was commissioned on 01 January 1979 on being graduated from Britannia Royal Naval College, UK with distinction and specialized Navigation & Direction from Pakistan and Fast Attack Craft Command & Tactics from China. He is a graduate of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur and US Naval War College. He is also an alumni of National Defence College, Mirpur.

A successful navigator, Admiral Zahir commanded different types of ships of Bangladesh Navy. He successfully commanded the most modern frigate of Bangladesh Navy BNS BANGABANDHU. Besides, he also commanded Naval Bases and served in different important appointments in Naval Headquarters, Armed Forces Division and Area Headquarters. He commanded Chittagong Naval Area and BN Fleet as Commodore Commanding Chittagong and Commodore Commanding BN Flotilla respectively. Besides, he was also appointed as Commandant Marine Academy and Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard.

Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed assumed the duties of Chief of the Naval Staff as Rear Admiral on 29 January 2009 and promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on 03 October 2009.