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INS Kadamba

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Coordinates:14°45′51.20″N74°7′42.36″E/ 14.7642222°N 74.1284333°E/14.7642222; 74.1284333
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14°45′51.20″N74°7′42.36″E/ 14.7642222°N 74.1284333°E/14.7642222; 74.1284333

INS Kadamba
Karwar,Karnataka
INS Kadamba is located in India
INS Kadamba
INS Kadamba
TypeNaval station
Site information
Controlled byIndian Navy
Site history
Built2005(2005)
In use2005–present
Garrison information
Current
commander		CaptainV S Guru[1]
OccupantsWestern Naval Command

INS KadambaorNaval Base KarwarorProject Seabirdis anIndian Navybase located nearKarwarinKarnataka.[2]The first phase of construction of the base, code-namedProject Seabird,was completed in 2005 and the base was commissioned on 31 May 2005.[3][4]Development of Phase II commenced in 2011. INS Kadamba is currently the third largestIndian naval base,and is expected to become the largest naval base in theeastern hemisphereafter completion of expansion Phase IIB. The construction of Naval Base covers an area of 11,169 acres in Phase I.[5][6]

The Navy'saircraft carrierINS Vikramadityais based atKarwar.The base also has the country's firstsealiftfacility, a unique “shiplift”and transfer system for docking and undockingshipsandsubmarines.

History[edit]

During theIndo-Pakistan War of 1971,the Indian Navy faced security challenges for its Western Fleet inMumbai Harbourdue to congestion in the shipping lanes from commercial shipping traffic, fishing boats and tourists. At the end of the war, various options were considered on addressing these concerns.[7]Alternative locations for a base on the west coast were evaluated, includingThiruvananthapuram,KannurandThoothukudi.[8]

In the early 1980s, thenChief of the Naval StaffAdmiral Oscar Stanley Dawsonconceived of a dedicated naval base sandwiched between the craggy hills of theWestern Ghatsand theArabian Seanear Karwar in Karnataka state. Located south of the naval bases inMumbaiandGoaand north ofKochi,the location had significant advantages as being very close to the world's busiest shipping route between thePersian Gulfandeast Asiaand out of range of most strike aircraft from neighboring countries. It also offered a natural deep-water harbour and significant land area for expansion, allowing larger aircraft carriers to berth. However, due to a variety of reasons, including the1991 economic crisis,development was delayed.[6]

Project Seabird[edit]

In 1999, followingPokhran-II,thenDefence MinisterGeorge FernandesapprovedProject Seabirdto pursue the construction of the new naval base at Karwar.Larsen & Toubrowas the lead contractor for the marine works on the harbour, in partnership withHochtief,Ballast Nadem Dredging of the Netherlands, Radisson of Australia and Nedeco of The Netherland. Over five km (3.1 mi) ofbreakwaterwere constructed using over 4.4 million cubic metres of rock to protect the harbour.[9]The Binaga Bay was dredged and its rock outcrops blasted to allow even large aircraft carriers to turn inside the bay.Anjadip Islandis one of the two islands to which the breakwaters are linked for reinforcement. A second channel will be added to the base to allow warships to enter and exit the port simultaneously.[6]

Phase I expansion[edit]

INSDelhidocked using the ship-lift system at Naval Ship Repair Yard at INS Kadamba.

Spread over an area of 45 square kilometres (11,000 acres) and 23 km (14 mi) of coastline on theArabian Sea,Phase I of INSKadambawas commissioned on 31 May 2005.[10][11]The expanded base opened in 2007, with space for up to 11 front-line warships and 10 smaller FIC-type boats. Key facilities include the 10,000 tonne, 175 m × 28 m (574 ft × 92 ft) ship lift, a ship transfer system for dry docking at the Naval Ship Repair Yard, and a 141-bed naval hospitalINHSPatanjali.[12][13]Naval Ship Repair Yard commenced functioning in July 2006 and the ship-lift was commissioned on 8 November 2006.[14]Commodore K P Ramachandran was the first Commanding Officer of INSKadamba.

Phase-I was completed at a total cost of₹2,629 crore(US$315 million).[15]

Phase II expansion[edit]

Development of Phase II of INS Kadamba was supposed to commence in 2011[7]but got delayed due to lack of environmental clearance. The Phase-IIA expansion approval was obtained from theCabinet Committee on Securityin 2012, after getting approval from then Defence Minister, and₹13,500 crore(US$2 billion) were granted.[16][17]The environment clearance for Phase II was granted in June 2014 on a priority basis for strategic reasons by the environment minister.[18]The work will commence in 2016 and is expected to be completed by 2022.[19]

Phase II-A[edit]

Phase II-A is expected to commence in 2017 and end in 2021–2022 with an expected cost of ₹19,600 crore. The project is expected to generate large scale employment and infuse money into the local economy. In this phase, the base will undergo the following upgrades:[20][21][22]

  • The base will be able to host 32 ships and submarines along with 23 yardcraft. The upgrade will provide berthing space of over 6 km.
  • There will be a covered dry berth of 75 m height and an area of 33,000 m2with capability of simultaneously docking of upto four capital ships.
  • Eight operational jetties, two refit jetties, four cover drivers and full-pledged dockyards to handle additional ships
  • Residential townships to accommodate 10,000 officers, sailors and defence civilian staff.[23]
  • Naval air station for helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and medium transport aircraft with a civil terminal
  • INHS Patanjaliwill be upgraded from 141-bed to 400-bed hospital
  • SecondKendriya Vidyalaya

After completion of this phase, the base will have over onelakhpersonnel working there, apart from their families living in an upcoming residential township. Apart from berthingINS Vikramaditya,two moreaircraft carrierswill behomeportedhere. For this, two more jetties will be used. A few of theKalvari-classsubmarines will also be based here.[17]

Under the proposed expansion plans, a 3,000 feet long runway will be built asKarwar Airport.If the Centre and the State request theIndian Navyseeking to utilise the runway for civil aviation aircraft, the runway length will be increased to 6,000 feet. Post completion as many as 30warshipscan be anchored at the base and it would have a hangar to hold as manymilitary aircraft.TheIndian Navy,through the State government, has acquired 11,334 acres of land which includes 8,661 acres of forest land.[24]

Inauguration[edit]

On 5 March 2024,Defense MinisterRajnath Singhinaugurated new facilities and infrastructure at the base. These consist of "two major piers and seven residential towers comprising 320 houses for officers and civilian defence personnel as well as 149 single officers’ accommodation."[25]

On 9 April 2024, theChief of the Naval StaffR. Hari Kumarinaugurated a pier and a residential complex. Pier 3 or Offshore Patrol Vessels Pier is a 350 m long pier capable of berthing Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), large survey vessels andmine countermeasure vessels.The pier would supply the ships with a variety of shore-based facilities, which includes power, potable water, chilled water for air conditioning, a 30-tonmobile crane,and other domestic services. A residential housing consisting of two towers with 80 apartments each for married officers and 149 apartments for single officers, as well as associated facilities and outside services were inaugurated as well. The facility also included six towers housing 360 apartments of Type-II for civilian employees of the Defence Department were opened.[23][26]

Phase II-B[edit]

After the completion of this phase of the project, INSKadambawill be able to base 50 front-line warships, and will be the biggest naval base east of theSuez Canal.[5][6][16]

Important milestones[edit]

  • Initial Sanction - 1985[27]
  • Foundation Stone laid - 24 October 1986
  • Acquisition of land - 1985–1988
  • Master Plan & DPR - 1990
  • Truncated Phase 1 sanctioned - Oct 1995
  • Execution of project - 1995–2005
  • Rehabilitation Phase 1 - 1995–1999
  • Construction commenced - 2000
  • Priority Housing - February 2003
  • Breakwater completed - February 2004
  • Sailors Residential Colony - July 2004
  • Anchorage completed - November 2004
  • Pier completed - February 2005
  • Officers Colony at Kamath Bay - February 2004
  • Docking of the first navy shipINS Shardul[6]
  • Karwar Naval Hospital - Feb 2005 (Temporary location)
  • Ship Lift installed - Apr 2005
  • Phase 2 sanctioned- 2012
  • Arrival of Indian aircraft carrierINS Vikramaditya- January 2014[28]
  • Phase 2 construction commenced - 2016
  • Berthing of Indian aircraft carrierINS Vikrant- May 2023[29]
  • Phase 2A Pier 1 and 2 completed - March 2024[25]
  • Phase 2A Pier 3 (OPV) completed - April 2024[26]

See also[edit]

Indian navy
Integrated commands and units
Other lists

References[edit]

  1. ^"Captain V S Guru Takes Command of INS Kadamba Naval Base in Karwar".Retrieved26 June2024.
  2. ^"INS Kadamba".Indian Navy. Archived fromthe originalon 8 December 2011.Retrieved4 January2012.
  3. ^"INS Kadamba".Indian Navy.Retrieved8 July2013.
  4. ^"INS Kadamba Celebrates 19th Anniversary with Community Engagement and Veteran Interactions".1 June 2024.Retrieved1 June2024.
  5. ^ab[1]Karwar Naval Base Gears Up For Second Phase of Expansion at a Cost of About $3 Billion
  6. ^abcdeUnnithan, Sandeep (20 December 2004)."Power Base".India today.Retrieved8 July2013.
  7. ^ab"India Opens Major Western Naval Base Near Karwar".Defense Industry Daily. 17 October 2011.Retrieved1 January2012.
  8. ^"Seabird on course".Frontline. 20 December 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 8 January 2012.Retrieved4 January2012.
  9. ^"INS Kadamba - Naval Base at Karward".India Defence. 1 June 2005.Retrieved4 January2012.
  10. ^"INS Kadamba commissioned".Rediff. 31 May 2005.Retrieved4 January2012.
  11. ^"Karwar naval project takes off from May 31".The Hindu.22 May 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 23 May 2005.Retrieved4 January2012.
  12. ^[2]India Opens Major Western Naval Base Near Karwar
  13. ^"INS Kadamba commissioned".The Hindu.1 June 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 3 June 2005.Retrieved4 January2012.
  14. ^"Naval Ship Repair Yard (Karwar)".Indian Navy.Retrieved28 March2014.
  15. ^"Green nod for radar station at Narcondam in Andamans".The Economic Times. 12 June 2014.Retrieved12 June2014.
  16. ^ab[3]Strategic Karwar naval base set for major expansion
  17. ^ab"Karwar to get India's largest Naval base".The New Indian Express.10 December 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 11 December 2012.Retrieved8 December2013.
  18. ^"Environment minister Prakash Javadekar clears Karwar Naval Base project".timesofindia-economictimes.Retrieved28 December2015.
  19. ^"Seabird phase II work will start by 2016: Naval officer".Deccan Herald.Retrieved28 December2015.
  20. ^"Seabird project expansion to commence next year".The New Indian Express.Retrieved6 December2016.
  21. ^"Project Seabird II will generate more employment: Admiral - Times of India".The Times of India.Retrieved6 December2016.
  22. ^"Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to inaugurate infrastructure projects at Indian Navy's Karwar Base".The Economic Times.4 March 2024.ISSN0013-0389.Retrieved9 March2024.
  23. ^abBureau, The Hindu (9 April 2024)."Navy Chief inaugurates new facilities at Karwar naval base".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved10 April2024.
  24. ^"Seabird phase II work will start by 2016: Naval officer".Deccan Herald.Retrieved28 December2015.
  25. ^abPeri, Dinakar (8 March 2024)."Backed by BrahMos, Navy's Minicoy base to keep watch over Arabian Sea".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved9 March2024.
  26. ^ab"INAUGURATION OF NAVAL PIER AND RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS BY ADMIRAL R HARI KUMAR, CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF AT NAVAL BASE KARWAR AS PART OF PROJECT SEABIRD PHASE IIA".pib.gov.in.Retrieved10 April2024.
  27. ^"Project Seabird".Indian Navy.Retrieved28 March2014.
  28. ^"INS Vikramaditya reaches Karwar".Deccan Herald.8 January 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 9 January 2014.Retrieved8 January2014.
  29. ^"INS Vikrant docks at Karwar base, Navy calls it 'landmark'".The Week.Retrieved12 April2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=INS_Kadamba&oldid=1231069196"