India's Huge New Naval Base

"India has opened a new naval base on its Arabian Sea coast which it says will become one of the largest in Asia"

India opens huge new naval base: news.bbc.co.uk...

Apparently this base is 4,400 acres and will be the bigest operational navy base in India, it is capable of docking 42 warships, has deep water for an aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines to dock as well. "This base is of strategic importance," Defence Minister said at the new base in Karwar. With the commissioning of this base, the navy will fulfil the responsibility of defending the country and safeguarding its exclusive economic zone."

I guess with this and their strategic control of Andaman and Nicobar islands they aim to keep a firm military presence on all borders of the Indian ocean.

Quoted from India Weary of opening strategic islands: news.bbc.co.uk...

"the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, more than 1,200km (750 miles) from the mainland, are also strategically located. Their southernmost point is just 150km from Indonesia's Sumatra and their northernmost fewer than 50km from the Coco islands controlled by Burma

In effect, they give India a foothold in south-east Asia. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are crucially located, offering a strategic view over the shipping traffic between the gulf and the Malacca straits,"

The location suits India's grand ambition of becoming a regional naval power capable of extended operations beyond the range of shore-based support. The Andamans' natural harbours and coral reefs offer perfect locations for ships and submarines."

It has also been said that There some air and sea assets of India's Strategic Nuclear Forces Command would be placed in the region. It's interesting how others, notably other South East Asian nation's will react to this Indian presence.





[edit on 3-6-2005 by VDS]