{{Short description|Indian Navy base near Karwar, Karnataka}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox military installation | name = INS ''Kadamba'' | native_name = | partof = | location = Karwar, Karnataka | image = INS_Delhi_(D61)_docked_using_the_shiplift_system_at_Naval_Ship_Repair_Yard_at_INS_Kadamba_(Karwar).jpg | caption = INS Delhi docked using the ship-lift system at Naval Ship Repair Yard at INS Kadamba. | map_type = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | type = Naval station | coordinates = | code = | built = {{Start date|2005}} | builder = | materials = | height = | used = 2005–present | demolished = | condition = | ownership = | open_to_public = | controlledby = Indian Navy | garrison = | current_commander = Captain V S Guru<ref>{{Cite web |title=Captain V S Guru Takes Command of INS Kadamba Naval Base in Karwar|date=25 June 2024 |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2024/06/captain-v-s-guru-takes-command-of-ins-kadamba-naval-base-in-karwar.html |access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref> | commanders = | occupants = Western Naval Command | battles = | events = | image2 = | caption2 = | pushpin_map = India }}
'''INS ''Kadamba''''' or '''Naval Base Karwar''' is an Indian Navy base located near Karwar in Karnataka.<ref name=in-kadamba>{{cite web|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/kadamba.htm |title=INS Kadamba |publisher=Indian Navy |access-date=4 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208193718/http://indiannavy.nic.in/kadamba.htm |archive-date=8 December 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The base, which was commissioned on 31 May 2005,<ref name="hindu-commissioned">{{cite news |date=1 June 2005 |title=INS Kadamba commissioned |url=http://hindu.com/2005/06/01/stories/2005060105071400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050603030659/http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/01/stories/2005060105071400.htm |archive-date=3 June 2005 |access-date=4 January 2012 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> is being developed under the codename, '''Project Seabird'''. The Phase I of the project was completed in 2011 while the Phase IIA commenced after 2017 and is underway as of 2025.<ref name=":5" />
On completion of Phase IIA, the base will have a capacity of basing 32 warships besides other auxiliary crafts.<ref name=":4" /> The base also has the country's first shiplift and transfer system for docking and undocking ships and submarines. Upon completion of its development following Phase II-B, the naval base will be the largest of its kind in the Eastern Hemisphere with a capacity of 50 warships.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2024-04-12 |title=Strategic expansion: India enhances western Naval base to accommodate largest warships |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/strategic-expansion-india-enhances-western-naval-base-to-accommodate-largest-warships/articleshow/109242574.cms |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
As of 2024, both of the Navy's aircraft carriers {{INS|Vikramaditya}} and {{INS|Vikrant|2013|6}} are based here.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Mrityunjay |title=Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant joins Western Fleet |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indigenous-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-joins-western-fleet-3199604 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>
==History== During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, the Indian Navy faced security challenges for its Western Fleet in Mumbai Harbour due 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.<ref name="br-seabird">{{cite news |date=20 December 2003 |title=Seabird on course |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Articles/Article18.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108071023/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Articles/Article18.html |archive-date=8 January 2012 |access-date=4 January 2012 |work=Bharat Rakshak }}</ref>
Existing naval bases in India (like Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and smaller naval enclaves like Dabolim and Kolkata) naval operations was hindered due to commercial shipping traffic, narrow approach channel, lack of expansion space. '''Visakhapatnam''', the then largest naval base with a capacity of berthing 50 naval ships, did not have 8-9 metre depth required for entry of aircraft carriers like {{INS|Viraat}} and was also not straight making manoeuvring of longer vessels difficult. '''Mumbai''', on the other hand, had its last expansion in 1980s which included construction of a quay. But further expansions were not possible due to security threats for nearby tall buildings like Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Bombay Stock Exchange and Ballard Pier. Its shallow waters also made berthing of soon-to-be acquired {{INS|Vikramaditya}} difficult. '''Kochi''' had no expansion prospect since it was a backwater harbour.<ref name="br-seabird" />
Due to these limitations, a dedicated new base had to be built on the west coast in order to decongest Mumbai. New locations like Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and Thoothukudi were considered, but Karwar was finally chosen due to its strategic importance. The base was conceived of by the then Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson in the early 1980s since it was sandwiched between the craggy hills of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea near Karwar in Karnataka state. Located south of the naval bases in Mumbai and Goa and north of Kochi, the location had significant advantages as being very close to the world's busiest shipping route between the Persian Gulf and east Asia and 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.<ref name="it20d04">{{cite news |last=Unnithan |first=Sandeep |date=20 December 2004 |title=Power Base |url=http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20041220/defence.html |access-date=8 July 2013 |newspaper=India today}}</ref> The site was selected after technical and hydrographic surveys by institutes like the National Institute of Hydrology, the Central Water and Power Research Station and the National Institute of Oceanography. The harbour had advantages due to its hilly terrain, acting as a camouflage to ground installations and also as positions for the Navy to disperse its forces in case of an attack, along with its forested terrain, providing cover from surveillance satellites supported by infrared decoys. Other requirements for berthing, navigation of ships and necessary depth were also satisfactory.<ref name="br-seabird" />
===Project Seabird=== {{See also|Director General Project Seabird}}
The '''Project Seabird''', an integrated strategic naval base at Karwar, was first sanctioned in 1985, followed by laying of the foundation stone by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in October 1986.<ref name="hindu-commissioned" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2012-12-07 |title=CCS clears proposal for Karwar naval base expansion |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ccs-clears-proposal-for-karwar-naval-base-expansion-112120600606_1.html |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=Business Standard}}</ref>
As per initial timelines, construction of the project, estimated to cost {{INRConvert|1760|c|lk=on|year=1986}}, was to begin in January 1986 and completed within seven years. However, the project was shelved due to inadequate funds allocations in the defence budget. Attempts to revive the project failed twice, first in 1990 when a detailed project report (DPR) was drawn up but it stalled due to lack of funds for its phased implementation and again in 1995 when the government said it would be unable to fund the entire Phase I [worth {{INRConvert|2500|c|year=1995}}]. The Navy was asked to limit the Phase I expenditure to {{INRConvert|1200|c|year=1995}}. Hence, the Phase I was again divided into two halves, the first of which was expected to be completed by 2005, while the entire Phase I by 2010.<ref name="br-seabird" />
In 1999, following Pokhran-II, then Defence Minister George Fernandes approved Project ''Seabird'' to pursue the construction of the new naval base at Karwar.<ref name="it20d04" />
Project Seabird commenced in October 1999 with marine works primarily including creation of a tranquil harbour, the dredging of the approach channel and the anchorage area, and the reclamation of {{Convert|49|ha||abbr=}} of land as well as construction of three breakwaters — a {{Convert|1.7|km||abbr=on}}-long northern breakwater (connecting Binaga Point and Anjadip Island), a {{Convert|3.1|km||abbr=on}}-long southern breakwater (connecting Round Island and Arge Island), and another {{Convert|0.34|km||abbr=on}}-long spur (extending from Anjadip Island westwards). The approach channel, would be between the spur and Round Island. The harbour would have a depth ranging from 10 metres to a maximum of 12 metres at the core.<ref name="br-seabird" />
For the project, Radisson (Australia) and Nedeco (Netherlands) were chosen as global consultants for the marine works and Mecon (India) for the onshore works. A joint venture, comprising Hochtief (Germany), Ballast Nedam Dredging (Netherlands) and Larsen & Toubro (India) won a contract of {{INRConvert|576|c|year=1999}} for marine works. Meanwhile, onshore works, worth {{INRConvert|500|c|year=1999}} were tendered and divided among companies including Larsen & Toubro, Skanska, Bridge & Roof, Nagarjuna Construction Company and Syncrolift. Syncrolift was contracted for the unique Shiplift and Ship Transfer System worth {{INRConvert|150|c|year=1999}}. The system would be capable lifting all Indian Naval Ships except aircraft carriers and replenishment oilers. A cleaning berth and a dry berth were constructed as part of Phase I. The system could also act as a wet berthing station for all classes of naval ships and submarines.<ref name="br-seabird" />
As of 2003, Project Seabird was to be opened for ships in January 2005 and commissioned on 7 May 2005 as INS ''Kadamba''.<ref name="hindu-takesoff" /> The project had been again delayed due to a labour dispute that affected offshore works. The first phase would cost {{INRConvert|2480|c|year=2003}}. As of then, the northern breakwaters and the spur were completed while the southern breakwater would be complete by March 2004. The anchorage of the port was also expected tp be completed by April 2004 and a maximum depth of 10 metres was already available.<ref name="br-seabird" />
After the completion of Phase I, another phase of the project would be pursued. Under Phase II, additional facilities other than capacity expansion of the base to 50 warships included a research centre, a naval air station, a naval armament depot (later, INS Vajrakosh) and a missile technical position around {{Convert|17|km||abbr=on}} from the base. While long-range maritime patrol aircraft would continue to be stationed at Dabolim and Arakkonam, ship-based helicopter units and Dorniers used for fleet requirements will be stationed at the base. a second approach channel with a depth of 11 metres could also be opened between Arge Island and the mainland.<ref name="br-seabird" />
== Phase I expansion == On 31 May 2005, INS ''Kadamba'' was commissioned as the third operational naval base (after Mumbai and Visakhapatnam) and the first dedicated naval base in India.<ref name="hindu-takesoff">{{cite news |date=22 May 2005 |title=Karwar naval project takes off from May 31 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/22/stories/2005052200111100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050523212054/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/22/stories/2005052200111100.htm |archive-date=23 May 2005 |access-date=4 January 2012 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> The ceremony was attended by the then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Six frontline warships including aircraft carrier {{INS|Viraat}}, destroyers {{INS|Mumbai}}, {{INS|Mysore|D60|6}} and frigates {{INS|Talwar|F40|6}}, {{INS|Gomati|F21|6}} and {{INS|Godavari|F20|6}} were docked in the naval base on the day. The project's Phase I, which was not yet complete, had already taken two decades since its inception.<ref name="hindu-commissioned" />
Commodore K P Ramachandran was the first to hold the office of Commanding Officer, INS ''Kadamba''. The post would later be upgraded to Flag Officer Commanding (Karwar) tasked by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command.<ref name="hindu-commissioned" />
As of then, the Navy planned to relocate at least 10 capital ships from Mumbai to Karwar including a few missile destroyers, frigates, and corvettes, auxiliary ships and offshore patrol vessels.<ref name="hindu-takesoff" /> The ''Scorpène''-class submarines was also planned to be based here in future.<ref name="rediff-commissioned2">{{cite news |date=31 May 2005 |title=INS Kadamba commissioned |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/may/31navy.htm |access-date=4 January 2012 |publisher=Rediff}}</ref>
Phase-I was completed at a total cost of {{INRConvert|2629|c|year=2014|0}} in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 June 2014 |title=Green nod for radar station at Narcondam in Andamans |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/developmental-issues/green-nod-for-radar-station-at-narcondam-in-andamans/articleshow/36411949.cms |access-date=12 June 2014 |publisher=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2024-03-04 |title=HON'BLE RAKSHA MANTRI TO INAUGURATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE/ FACILITIES OF PROJECT SEABIRD |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2011240 |access-date=2025-04-08 |work=Press Information Bureau}}</ref>
The facilities that were developed under the first phase included:
* The naval base occupies an area of {{convert|11200|acre|km2|abbr=on}} and is spread across a {{convert|26|km|mi|abbr=on}}-long coastline along the Arabian Sea.<ref name="hindu-takesoff" /><ref name="hindu-commissioned" /> * A {{convert|420 × 185|m||abbr=on}} jetty<ref name="hindu-takesoff" /> with a capacity of hosting up to 11 frontline warships (including an aircraft carrier) and 10 yardcrafts.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Phase-II of Karwar naval base approved |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/phase-ii-karwar-naval-base-2377289 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=2011-06-21 |title=India to spend Rs 10,000 cr on Karwar naval base expansion |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-spend-rs-10000-cr-on-karwar-naval-base-expansion/articleshow/8932342.cms |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> * Naval Ship Repair Yard (Karwar): A 10,000 tonne capacity {{convert|175 × 28|m||abbr=on}} shiplift with a ship transfer system for dry docking any ship of its fleet except replenishment oilers and aircraft carriers.<ref name="hindu-takesoff" /> The yard commenced functioning in July 2006 and the ship-lift was commissioned on 8 November 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval Ship Repair Yard (Karwar) |url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/about-indian-navy/nsry-karwar |access-date=28 March 2014 |publisher=Indian Navy}}</ref> * INHS ''Patanjali'': A 141-bed naval hospital.<ref name=":0" /> * Residential accommodation of 43 officers and 200 sailors.<ref name="hindu-commissioned" />
A second phase of expansion was also planned at the time. Post expansion, the capacity of the base would be 22 and would also include naval air station, naval armament depot and research facility. The entire development of the base would cost {{INRConvert|35000|c|year=2005}} and provide a capacity to host over 42 warships.<ref name="hindu-takesoff" /><ref name="hindu-commissioned" />
==Phase II expansion== As of 2011, the defence ministry was preparing a 'note' for approval by the government after fine-tuning the detailed project review (DPR) after multiple delays.<ref name=":9" /><ref name="did-karwar">{{cite news |date=17 October 2011 |title=India Opens Major Western Naval Base Near Karwar |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/india-opens-major-naval-base-at-karwar-0647/ |access-date=1 January 2012 |publisher=Defense Industry Daily}}</ref> The delays were attributed to unavailability of eligible Indian companies who would be able to handle such infrastructure projects. There were additional objections from the Finance Ministry about the estimated cost of the project as presented by the Navy. The approval from the Defence Ministry was granted in May 2012. The base would have the capacity of 32 warships and other ships including 10 of the fast-interceptor craft (FICs) of the Sagar Prahari Bal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-05-20 |title=Strategic Karwar naval base set for major expansion |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/strategic-karwar-naval-base-set-for-major-expansion/articleshow/13310910.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214074956/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-16/india/31725279_1_berthing-and-anchorage-facilities-strategic-karwar-naval-base-major-warships |archive-date=2013-12-14 |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The proposal was then forwarded to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by the then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-07-08 |title=Navy plans Rs 10,000 crore worth expansion of Karwar base |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/navy-plans-rs-10000-crore-worth-expansion-of-karwar-base/articleshow/14742560.cms |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The Phase-IIA expansion was approved by the CCS on 6 December 2012. The project was worth {{INRConvert|13500|c|year=2012}}.<ref name=":7" /> The project was planned to be completed by 2017–18. The base would also host {{INS|Vikramaditya}} and ''Scorpène''-class submarines.<ref name="tniex8d">{{cite news|url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article1373362.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211092738/http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article1373362.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2012|title=Karwar to get India's largest Naval base|date=10 December 2012|newspaper=The New Indian Express|access-date=8 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=":8" />
The environment clearance for Phase II was granted in June 2014 on a priority basis for strategic reasons by the environment minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Environment minister Prakash Javadekar clears Karwar Naval Base project|url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-10/news/50478506_1_radar-station-project-seabird-nicobar-island|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140617232510/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-10/news/50478506_1_radar-station-project-seabird-nicobar-island|url-status = dead|archive-date = 17 June 2014|website = timesofindia-economictimes|access-date = 2015-12-28}}</ref>
===Phase II-A=== As of December 2015, the Indian Navy had acquired 11,334 acres of land from the State Government, which included 8,661 acres of forest land. The development of Phase IIA was expected to start from 2016.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Seabird phase II work will start by 2016: Naval officer |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/515693/seabird-phase-ii-work-start.html |access-date=2015-12-28 |website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>
By 2016, the commencement of Phase II-A was delayed by a year to 2017 and end in 2021–2022 with an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|19600|c|year=2016}}. 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:<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/Project-Seabird-II-will-generate-more-employment-Admiral/articleshow/55779430.cms|title=Project Seabird II will generate more employment: Admiral |newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=2024-03-04 |title=Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to inaugurate infrastructure projects at Indian Navy's Karwar Base |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-inaugurate-infrastructure-projects-at-indian-navys-karwar-base/articleshow/108212829.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-03-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> * 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. Apart from berthing {{INS|Vikramaditya}}, two more aircraft carriers will be homeported here. For this, two more jetties will be used. A few of the {{sclass|Kalvari|submarine|0||2015}} submarines will also be based here.<ref name="tniex8d" /> * There will be four Covered Dry Berths, each with a height of {{cvt|75|m}} and a total area of {{cvt|33,000|m2}}, with the capability of simultaneously docking of up to four capital ships.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite press release |title=Inauguration of residential accommodation as part of Project Seabird Phase II |date=2025-10-14 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2178955 |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref> * Eight operational jetties, two refit jetties, four Covered Dry Berths and a full-fledged Naval Dockyard to handle additional ships * Four residential townships to accommodate 10,000 officers, sailors and defence civilian staff.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |editor=The Hindu Bureau |date=2024-04-09 |title=Navy Chief inaugurates new facilities at Karwar naval base |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-chief-inaugurates-new-facilities-at-karwar-naval-base/article68047101.ece |access-date=2024-04-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The townships are situated in the east of Manzil Creek and Amadalli and includes 2,160 and 3,168 accommodation units for senior sailors and defence civilians, respectively. A Hyderabad-based company, NCC Ltd, has been contracted for its construction.<ref name=":11" /> * Naval Air Station with {{Convert|2700|m||abbr=on}} runway for helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and medium transport aircraft with a civilian enclave * INHS Patanjali will be upgraded from 141-bed to 400-bed hospital. After completion of this phase, the base will have over one lakh personnel working there, apart from their families living in an upcoming residential township.<ref name="tniex8d" />
==== Inauguration timeline ====
* '''5 March 2024:''' Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 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."<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2024-03-08 |title=Backed by BrahMos, Navy's Minicoy base to keep watch over Arabian Sea |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/minicoy-island-to-see-deployment-of-brahmos-missiles-in-future-as-part-of-expansion/article67929292.ece |access-date=2024-03-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> * '''9 April 2024:''' The then Chief of the Naval Staff, R. Hari Kumar, inaugurated 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 and mine 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-ton mobile 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.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2017557 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> * '''5 April 2025:''' Two refit piers and 480 residential apartments for sailors and defence civilians along with support infrastructures including 25 km road network, 12 km stormwater drainage, water reservoirs among others were inaugurated by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh worth over {{INRConvert|2000|c|year=2025}}.<ref name=":03">{{Cite news |date=2025-04-05 |title=RM also inaugurates Rs 2,000 crore modern operational, repair & logistic facilities constructed under Project Seabird |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2119246 |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> By then, work on the inner harbour was completed while that on the outer harbour, "with the requisite breakwaters and jetties", was underway.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=2025-04-07 |title=India to build underground nuclear submarine fortress to counter China as Bangladesh offers air base to Beijing near Chicken Neck |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-build-underground-nuclear-submarine-fortress-to-counter-china-as-bangladesh-offers-air-base-to-beijing-near-chicken-neck/articleshow/120058867.cms |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> * '''14 October 2025''': The Navy chief, Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, in the presence of other senior officers inaugurated four towers including 240 dwelling units (DU) each for married senior sailors and defence civilians, respectively.<ref name=":11" /> * '''22 February 2026''': The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command (FOC-in-C WNC), Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, inaugurated multiple residential complexes in the east of Manzil Creek and Amadalli. The complex includes one tower, with 60 dwelling units (DU), for accommodating married senior officers and four towers, with 240 units (DU), for naval defence civilians. The project was undertaken by Hyderabad-based NCC Ltd.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Inauguration of residential accommodation at Naval Base Karwar under Project Seabird Phase IIA |date=2026-02-22 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231600 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
===Phase II-B=== After the completion of this phase of the project, which is under planning stage as of 2025, INS ''Kadamba'' will be able to base 50 frontline warships as well as 40 auxiliary ships, and will be the biggest naval base east of the Suez Canal.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":10" />
== Support facilities == === Combat Training Centre, Karwar ===
The Indian Navy plans to construct an Integrated Training Facility of {{Convert|75|acre|m2|abbr=on}} at Karwar. The facility will train Navy personnel, MARCOS operators and Special Forces of friendly foreign nations to combat piracy and terrorism. The facility will include a '''Three-Storey Multilevel Kill House''' including mock-ups of hotel lobbies, rooms, conference halls, offices of different sizes as well as that of machinery and living spaces of ships. The Kill House will have ballistic protection. It will also have a '''Maritime Workup Station''' consisting of mock-ups of an oil rig, a ship along with a pool capable of wave generation to simulate various sea-states, and an Obstacle-cum-Jungle Firing Range. The oil rig mock-up will have replicate all the parts of an operational oil rog while that of a ship will replicate the side of a merchant ship, its weather deck and superstructure. An '''Urban Terrain Complex''' will include two complexes, one replicating an urban setup of a city or town and the other replicating a rural setup of a village. Lastly, the training centre includes an '''Indoor Firing Range''' with Advanced Target System and Firing Simulator. It will house an armoury for stowage of weapons, ammunition, explosives and special equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navy To Build State-Of-The-Art Combat Training Centre in Karwar {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.news18.com/india/navy-to-build-state-of-the-art-combat-training-centre-in-karwar-exclusive-9155158.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Stage-II Recruitment Centre === A Stage-II Recruitment Centre was inaugurated at the Naval Base on 12 November 2025. This is the tenth such centre in the Navy.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Indian Navy establishes new Recruitment Centre at Karwar |date=2025-11-12 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2189178 |access-date=2025-11-13}}</ref>
==Important milestones== *Initial Sanction - 1985<ref>{{cite web|title=Project Seabird|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/book/project-seabird|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> *Foundation Stone laid - 24 October 1986 *Acquisition of land - 1985–1988 *Master Plan & DPR - 1990 *Truncated Phase 1 sanctioned - Oct 1995 *Execution of project - 1999–2005 *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 ship INS Shardul<ref name=it20d04 /> *Karwar Naval Hospital - Feb 2005 (Temporary location) *Ship Lift installed - Apr 2005 *Phase 2 sanctioned- 2012 *Arrival of Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya - January 2014<ref>{{cite news |date=8 January 2014 |title=INS Vikramaditya reaches Karwar |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/379190/ins-vikramaditya-reaches-karwar.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109035158/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/379190/ins-vikramaditya-reaches-karwar.html |archive-date=9 January 2014 |access-date=8 January 2014 |newspaper=Deccan Herald}}</ref> *Phase 2 construction commenced - 2016 *Berthing of Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant - May 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=INS Vikrant docks at Karwar base, Navy calls it 'landmark' |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/05/21/ins-vikrant-docks-at-karwar-base-navy-calls-it-landmark.html |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> *Phase 2A Pier 1 and 2 completed - March 2024<ref name=":2" /> *Phase 2A Pier 3 (OPV) completed - April 2024<ref name=":3" /> *Phase 2A two refit piers completed - April 2025<ref name=":03" />
==See also== ; Indian navy * Director General Project Seabird * List of Indian Navy bases * List of active Indian Navy ships *INS Varsha — another dedicated major naval base on the Eastern Seaboard of India *INS Vajrakosh, missile and ammunition base at Karwar *INHS Patanjali, naval hospital at Karwar *Karwar Airport
; Integrated commands and units * Armed Forces Special Operations Division * Defence Cyber Agency * Integrated Defence Staff * Integrated Space Cell * Indian Nuclear Command Authority * Indian Armed Forces * Special Forces of India
; Other lists * Strategic Forces Command * List of Indian Air Force stations * List of Indian Navy bases * India's overseas military bases * Naval Station Norfolk, world's largest naval base.
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/india-opens-major-naval-base-at-karwar-0647/ India Opens Major Western Naval Base Near Karwar], Defense Industry Daily *[http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2211/stories/20050603002809000.htm A base for a blue-water navy], ''Ravi Sharma'', Frontline, Volume 22 - Issue 11, 21 May - 3 June 2005. *[http://ipcs.org/article/navy/project-seabird-an-example-of-indias-maritime-prowess-1580.html Project Seabird: An Example of India's Maritime Prowess], ''Vijay Sakhuja'', Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, #1580, 13 December 2004.
{{Indian Navy}} {{coord|14|45|51.20|N|74|7|42.36|E|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kadamba}} Kadamba Category:Karwar Category:Military installations established in 2005