News Analysis India

Tag: Project Seabird

  • Rajnath Singh reviews Project Seabird work in Karwar

    Express News Service
    KARWAR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, on Thursday reviewed the ongoing works at the Project Seabird Phase II-A site at the Karwar Naval Base, the country’s largest naval infrastructure project which aims at providing fleet support and maintenance of warships.

    The expanded naval complex will be able to support several major warships and at least 30 vessels, submarines and yard crafts. A state-of-the-art Naval Air Base and maintenance section is also said to be the part of the Phase II-A project, which is an extension of the Naval base totally spread across over 11,000 acres. The project was delayed for some time as the land earmarked for it was forest land and was cleared after the visit of former Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman.

    The Phase II-A project, located on hilly terrain along the coast, involves several technical and environmental challenges. A significant part of the work will be carried out by reclaiming a part of the sea. Rajnath Singh, who was on his first visit, had a hectic schedule with several field visits and briefings regarding the progress of works. He  visited the Ship Lift tower, which, according to naval sources, is a new concept where an entire ship will be lifted to the jetty.

    The Raksha Mantri, accompanied by Admiral Karambir Singh, also did an aerial survey of the Naval area before he landed at the Naval base. On arrival, he was received by Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh, Flag Officer Commanding, Karnataka Naval Area. He also interacted with the Naval staff and others.

  • Rajnath Singh reviews progress of Karwar, wants it to be Asia’s largest naval base

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the Indian Navy on Thursday on its efforts to boost self-reliance saying more than two-thirds of the Navy’s modernisation budget has been spent on indigenous procurement in the last five financial years.

    Rajnath was reviewing the progress of Phase-II of Karwar also known as Project Seabird. “I want Karwar Naval base to be Asia’s biggest. I will even try to raise the budget for it,” he said while addressing the press.

    Lauding the navy’s commitment towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, he stated that out of the 48 ships and submarines, 46 are being inducted through indigenous construction. 

    Describing indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant as a shining example of the navy’s self-reliance efforts, Rajnath Singh said, “The commissioning of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant will be a momentous occasion in the history of Indian defence as it is coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.”

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    The Defence Minister inspected the ongoing works at the Naval Base and received on-site briefings including capability demonstration at the Shiplift Tower, the first such facility in the country, which will help in the docking of the ships and submarines.

    He also undertook a tour of the Naval Harbour and reviewed the marine works/infrastructure being developed as part of Project Seabird Phase II A as also the operationalisation of Piers.

    The Minister also visited the newly-constructed Sailors Married Accommodation, which incorporates advanced features for water efficiency, handling of household waste, energy efficiency and provides environment-friendly houses.

    Karwar is home to the Navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and also has the country’s first sealift facility. 

    Considering the congestion at the other naval bases, Phase-II of Project Seabird was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2012 under which it was envisaged to expand facilities to house additional warships and set up a new naval air station among others.

    The Defence Minister was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh. 

  • General Bipin Rawat reviews Project Seabird work in Karwar

    By Express News Service
    KARWAR: Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat visited the naval base in Karwar on Monday, along with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, FOC-in-C (West), to review the progress of ongoing work under Project Seabird. They were received by Real Admiral Mahesh Singh, FOK on arrival.

    During the visit, Gen Rawat was briefed on the progress of activities with respect to the development of Project Seabird in site ‘A’, including the modernisation of Naval Ship Repair Yard (Karwar) and also the capabilities of Maritime Operations Center (MOC), Kar and COMNETCEN (Kar). Gen Rawat was also taken around the Naval Base where he was given on-site briefings and he reviewed the ongoing marine works, including capability demonstration at the Shiplift facility.

    The visit also included a tour of the Naval Harbour towards assessment of marine works / infrastructure being developed as part of Project Seabird Phase II A. Later during the day, he interacted with officers and sailors of Karnataka Naval Area over Barakhana.