Top defence sources told India Today that the Haldia facility will function as a naval detachment, primarily deploying small, fast-response warships.
Indian Navy to establish Haldia Base for enhanced maritime security
Kolkata: The Indian Navy is establishing a new base at Haldia in West Bengal to enhance India’s maritime presence in the northern Bay of Bengal, amid rising Chinese naval activity and evolving security dynamics in the region, particularly involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Top defence sources told India Today that the Haldia facility will function as a naval detachment, primarily deploying small, fast-response warships.
Base to Utilize Existing Infrastructure
The base will leverage the existing Haldia dock complex, allowing for rapid operationalisation with minimal construction. Initial works include the building of a dedicated jetty and essential shore-support facilities.
It is expected to host Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and 300-tonne New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs). These high-speed vessels, capable of 40–45 knots, are designed for quick-response maritime operations and are armed with CRN-91 guns. Some may also be equipped with loitering munitions like the Nagastra system for enhanced surveillance and precision strike capabilities.
Strategic Significance
Experts note the northern Bay of Bengal is increasingly sensitive due to:
Rising Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
Maritime infiltration threats along the India-Bangladesh coastline
Illegal crossings from Bangladesh using sea routes
The shallow waters and dense maritime traffic make fast, agile vessels particularly effective for patrol and deterrence.
The Haldia base also strengthens India’s position amid China’s growing naval footprint and its defence and infrastructure engagements with Bangladesh, along with its long-standing military ties with Pakistan.
Personnel and Operations
The base will be relatively compact, hosting around 100 officers and sailors, suggesting it will not function as a full-fledged command.
Its location about 100 km from Kolkata provides strategic access to the Bay of Bengal, bypassing the time-consuming transit via the River Hooghly.
Currently, India operates major eastern seaboard facilities, including the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam and bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
While the land for the Haldia base had been earmarked earlier, construction had been pending until now.
Aligning with Navy Expansion Plans
The Haldia base aligns with India’s broader naval expansion. In 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 120 Fast Interceptor Crafts and 31 NWJFACs.
These vessels, each displacing around 100 tonnes and capable of carrying 10-12 personnel, are ideal for coastal patrol, anti-infiltration operations, harbour defence, and special missions.
Experts say India’s enhanced naval posture is crucial to safeguard sea lanes, monitor regional developments, and assert India’s role as the primary security provider in the northern Bay of Bengal.
