India is strategically enhancing its naval capabilities through the establishment of new naval bases, particularly in the Lakshadweep Islands. This initiative is part of a broader effort to secure vital maritime routes and counter growing regional threats, especially from China.

The Indian Navy plans to upgrade existing facilities and establish new air bases in Agatti and Minicoy Islands. This development aims to bolster operational capabilities and improve connectivity with the mainland, thereby enhancing India's maritime security framework.

The establishment of INS Jatayu comes amid rising tensions in the region, particularly with China's increasing influence in the Maldives. The new base serves as a strategic countermeasure to ensure that India maintains a significant naval presence close to critical sea lanes.

The Minicoy naval detachment was initially set up in the early 1980s under the command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge for Lakshadweep. The recent upgrades transform this detachment into a fully operational naval base, reflecting India's commitment to enhancing its maritime security infrastructure.

The Lakshadweep Islands are strategically located along vital trade routes that facilitate significant commercial shipping traffic. By establishing a robust naval presence, India aims to secure these SLOCs against potential threats from piracy and maritime terrorism.

Naval Base Karwar

INS Kadamba, also known as Naval Base Karwar or Project Seabird, is a significant naval facility located near Karwar in Karnataka, India. It serves as a strategic base for the Indian Navy and is situated at Binaga Bay, positioned advantageously between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.

The idea for a dedicated naval base at Karwar was conceived in the early 1980s by Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson. The project gained momentum after the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, which highlighted security challenges for the Indian Navy's Western Fleet based in Mumbai due to congestion from commercial shipping traffic.

Project Seabird was officially approved in 1999 following India's nuclear tests (Pokhran-II). The first phase of construction was completed in 2005, with the base being commissioned on May 31, 2005.

INS Kadamba is currently the third largest naval base in India, with plans to expand it into the largest naval facility in Asia upon completion of its ongoing Phase II expansion. The base can accommodate up to 32 ships and submarines, along with various support vessels.

Recent developments include a 350-meter-long pier inaugurated in December 2024, which enhances the base's capacity to berth offshore patrol vessels and other warships. The infrastructure also supports logistical needs such as electrical power and potable water. The second phase (Phase IIB) aims to further enhance capabilities, allowing for the docking of larger aircraft carriers and increasing the number of front-line warships stationed at the base to 50.

The location of Naval Base Karwar is strategically significant due to its proximity to major shipping routes between the Persian Gulf and East Asia. It is designed to provide operational flexibility against potential threats, particularly from neighbouring countries like Pakistan. The base's deep-water harbour allows for safe docking of large vessels, enhancing India's naval capabilities in the region.

Vishakhapatnam Naval Base

Vishakhapatnam Naval Base, located in Andhra Pradesh, India, is a crucial component of the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command. This base plays a significant role in India's maritime security and operational readiness.

The base serves as the headquarters for the Eastern Naval Command, which oversees naval operations in the eastern sector of India. This command is one of the two primary operational commands of the Indian Navy, the other being the Western Naval Command based in Mumbai.

The Naval Dockyard (Visakhapatnam), established during World War II, is one of India's most important dockyards. Originally set up as a repair workshop, it has evolved into a major facility for ship maintenance and repair, supporting both naval and civilian maritime activities.

Over the years, the Vishakhapatnam Naval Base has undergone significant expansion. The facility includes various ship repair workshops and has been upgraded to accommodate modern naval vessels. Plans for further expansion aim to enhance its capabilities as a major naval facility in India.

The base's strategic location along the eastern coast of India enhances its role in safeguarding maritime interests and conducting operations in the Indian Ocean Region. It is equipped to support a diverse range of naval operations, including anti-submarine warfare and fleet exercises.

The Eastern Fleet, which operates from Vishakhapatnam, includes various classes of vessels such as destroyers, frigates, and submarines, allowing for comprehensive maritime operations.

The base also hosts training facilities for naval personnel and supports various naval aviation units. It plays a vital role in preparing sailors for operational duties through rigorous training programs.

The Naval Chart Depot located at the base provides essential hydrographic services, contributing to navigational safety and maritime operations in the region.

INS Jarawa

This naval base of the Indian Armed Forces is under the joint-services Andaman and Nicobar Command located in Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was commissioned in 1964 but repair facilities were started in 1979.

The base is named after Andaman’s indigenous tribe, Jarawa. The amphibious warfare ship, INS Magar was the first major ship to have this base as its home port.

Close to INS Jarawa is a naval air station called INS Utkrosh. There is a naval hospital named INHS Dhanvantari and a floating dock which is used to accommodate several ships under the Andaman and Nicobar Command. There is another smaller dock as well.

INS Jatayu

INS Jatayu is a newly commissioned naval base of the Indian Navy located on Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Officially inaugurated on March 6, 2024, this base serves as the second naval facility in the region, following INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, which was established in 2012.

Situated on Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, INS Jatayu overlooks crucial Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), enhancing India's maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

The base operates under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep) and is part of the Southern Naval Command. Its establishment is aimed at bolstering the Indian Navy's capabilities for anti-piracy, anti-narcotics, and surveillance operations.

Plans for INS Jatayu include constructing an airfield and housing facilities to support personnel and operations. This development will enhance logistical and medical support at the base.

The commissioning of INS Jatayu is expected to significantly improve the Indian Navy's operational reach and capabilities in the Arabian Sea, facilitating quicker responses to regional threats and enhancing connectivity with the mainland.

The commissioning of INS Jatayu is seen as a response to changing geopolitical dynamics, particularly as India seeks to counterbalance China's growing military ties with neighbouring countries like the Maldives. This move underscores India's intent to project power and maintain stability in the Indian Ocean region.

INS Varsha - India's Secretive Submarine Base

INS Varsha is an ambitious project by the Indian Navy, designed to serve as a dedicated underground base for nuclear submarines. Here are the key details:

Situated near Rambilli, approximately 70 km from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, this base is strategically positioned in the Bay of Bengal.

The base will house over 12 nuclear-powered submarines, including the Arihant-class and future S5-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and attack submarines (SSNs).

INS Varsha aims to enhance India’s second-strike capabilities, providing a secure location for its sea-based nuclear deterrent against regional adversaries like Pakistan and China.

Operational Secrecy: The underground design allows submarines to enter and exit without surfacing, minimizing detection risks from enemy surveillance. This feature is crucial for maintaining operational security in a region marked by increasing naval competition.

Covering approximately 20 square kilometers, the base includes extensive tunnels and support facilities, with an estimated construction cost of around $3.75 billion.

INS Varsha will feature modern docking facilities, repair yards, munitions storage, and advanced command and control systems to facilitate efficient naval operations.

The base is expected to become operational by 2025-2026, marking a significant milestone in India's naval capabilities.

Beyond enhancing India's maritime security, INS Varsha is anticipated to strengthen cooperative security frameworks with allies such as the United States, Japan, and Australia under the Quad alliance. This aligns with India's broader strategy to assert its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

INS Varsha symbolises India’s commitment to bolstering its naval power and securing its maritime interests in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

In summary, India's strategic naval bases in the Lakshadweep Islands represent a significant enhancement of its maritime capabilities aimed at ensuring security and stability in an increasingly contested region.

IDN