Two-thirds of the Indian Navy’s modernisation budget has been spent on indigenous procurement in the last five financial years, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, while stating that out of 48 ships and submarines, 46 were being inducted through indigenous construction.
Mr. Singh was at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka to inspect infrastructure development under Phase II of “Project Seabird”. “I am confident that after the completion of this project, the Karwar Naval Base would become Asia’s largest and most efficient Naval base. After the completion of this project, I believe that our trade, economy, and humanitarian aid operations, including our security preparedness, will be further strengthened,” he said after inspecting the facilities.
Phase II of Project Seabird was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2012. It envisages expanding facilities to house additional warships and set up a new Naval Air Station, among other plans.
The Navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is based at Karwar. The base also has the country’s first sealift facility, a unique “shiplift” and transfer system for docking and un-docking ships and submarines.
Accompanied by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Mr. Singh undertook an aerial survey of the project area and sites. He also visited newly constructed married sailors’ accommodation, which provides environment-friendly housing with advanced features for water and energy efficiency, and handling of household waste, a Ministry statement said.