Indian Navy plans to establish a new naval base (naval detachment) at Haldia, West Bengal, to strengthen India’s maritime presence in the northern Bay of Bengal.
The move comes amid rising Chinese naval activity, evolving India–Bangladesh–Pakistan maritime dynamics, and growing concerns over coastal security and infiltration.
Key Highlights
- The Haldia facility will function as a naval detachment, not a full-fledged naval command.
- Focus will be on rapid-response coastal and near-sea operations using small, high-speed warships.
- Around 100 naval officers and sailors are expected to be stationed at the base.
- The base will provide direct and faster access to the Bay of Bengal, bypassing the slow Hooghly River route required from Kolkata.
- It will leverage the existing Haldia dock complex, enabling quick operationalisation with minimal new infrastructure.
Strategic Importance of Haldia
- Location Advantage:
Haldia is located about 100 km from Kolkata and offers immediate access to open sea, unlike Kolkata port which requires long riverine transit. - Operational Edge:
Ideal for quick deployment, coastal surveillance, interception missions, and maritime domain awareness. - Regional Security Context:
- Increased presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the Indian Ocean Region.
- China’s deepening defence and infrastructure engagement with Bangladesh.
- Pakistan–China strategic nexus.
- Incidents of illegal maritime infiltration along the India–Bangladesh coastline.
Naval Assets to Be Deployed
The Haldia base is expected to host high-speed, agile platforms suitable for shallow waters and dense maritime traffic:
Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs)
- Displacement: ~100 tonnes
- Speed: 40–45 knots
- Crew: 10–12 personnel
- Roles:
- Coastal patrol
- Anti-infiltration operations
- Harbour defence
- Special operations
New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs)
- Displacement: ~300 tonnes
- High-speed water-jet propulsion
- Suited for rapid strike and interception missions
Armament & Capabilities
- CRN-91 naval guns
- Likely integration of loitering munitions such as Nagastra, enhancing:
- Surveillance
- Precision strike capability
- Maritime deterrence
Why New Base Is Important
- Northern Bay of Bengal Focus:
A relatively less militarised but strategically sensitive maritime zone. - Shallow waters advantage:
Fast, small craft are more effective than large warships. - Deterrence & Presence:
Signals India’s intent to remain the primary maritime security provider in the region. - Coastal Security:
Strengthens India’s ability to counter:- Smuggling
- Illegal migration
- Non-traditional maritime threats
Part of a Larger Naval Expansion
- In 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Rajnath Singh, approved:
- 120 Fast Interceptor Crafts
- 31 NWJFACs
- The Haldia base will serve as a forward operating hub for these assets.
India’s Eastern Seaboard Strategy
India already operates:
- Eastern Naval Command – Visakhapatnam
- Strategic naval and tri-service facilities in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The addition of Haldia:
- Enhances layered maritime defence
- Strengthens surveillance of critical sea lanes
- Elevates West Bengal’s role in India’s maritime security architecture