India is set to commission a strategically vital new naval base on the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh next year, aimed at countering China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This new facility will be used to house nuclear submarines and other warships, adding a critical layer to India’s maritime defense strategy.
The base is being constructed near Rambilli, a small coastal village approximately 50 kilometers south of the Eastern Naval Command’s headquarters in Visakhapatnam. Known internally as Project Varsha, this base includes underground pens and an intricate tunnel network to discreetly accommodate nuclear submarines. These tunnels will allow submarines to deploy quietly into the Bay of Bengal, staying out of sight from surveillance satellites, and proceed rapidly towards strategic areas such as the Malacca Strait and beyond to conduct deterrent patrols.
According to a defense source, “The first phase of the Rambilli base under Project Varsha is almost complete. After commissioning in 2026, it can be expanded and upgraded in phases, much like what is under way at the Karwar base under Project Seabird.”
The construction of this nuclear submarine base has been a complex process, taking over a decade to reach its current state. Developers had to navigate a variety of technological and environmental hurdles, in addition to other logistical challenges, to move forward with the project. Despite these difficulties, the base is nearing readiness and will become a pivotal asset in India’s naval capabilities.
Simultaneously, India continues to upgrade its western coastal defense infrastructure through Project Seabird at the Karwar base in Karnataka. This development complements the strategic expansion in the east, collectively strengthening India’s maritime reach and preparedness on both fronts. Karwar, which already houses over a dozen frontline warships, is undergoing significant enhancements that will soon enable it to berth 32 major warships and submarines, along with 23 yard-craft.
“The inner harbour is ready. Work on the outer harbour, with the requisite breakwaters and jetties, is in progress,” the same source confirmed regarding Karwar’s development.
India is not only building infrastructure but is also adding firepower to its underwater nuclear arsenal. This year, the country will commission its third nuclear-powered submarine equipped with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, known in naval terms as an SSBN. The submarine, named INS Aridhaman, is larger than its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, with a displacement of 7,000 tonnes. The increased size allows it to carry more K-4 missiles, which have a strike range of 3,500 kilometers.
This development significantly boosts India’s nuclear triad, which comprises land-based missiles, airborne weapons, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. These submarines serve as the most survivable leg of the triad, capable of providing second-strike capability even in the event of a surprise nuclear attack.
In addition to INS Aridhaman, a fourth submarine is currently under construction under the classified Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. This project, valued at over ₹90,000 crore, is India’s most secretive and ambitious initiative in nuclear submarine development. The plan eventually includes constructing larger 13,500-tonne SSBNs powered by more advanced 190 MW pressurized light-water reactors, in contrast to the 83 MW reactors used in the existing submarines. These improvements will significantly increase range, endurance, and operational capacity of India’s nuclear submarines.
In October last year, the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security gave the green light for constructing two 9,800-tonne nuclear-powered attack submarines, or SSNs, at a cost of ₹40,000 crore. Unlike SSBNs, SSNs are designed for conventional warfare and are equipped with non-nuclear missiles and other tactical weaponry. Eventually, India plans to build a fleet of six SSNs, enhancing its ability to project power and safeguard its maritime interests.
As India strengthens its naval posture in the east, it is simultaneously reinforcing its western defenses. On Saturday, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated new operational, repair, and logistical facilities valued at over ₹2,000 crore at the Karwar naval base. These upgrades are part of Project Seabird’s ongoing Phase-IIA and are designed to provide the Navy with enhanced strategic depth and flexibility, especially in relation to potential threats from Pakistan.
The expanded Karwar base will also feature a dual-use naval air station, a full-service naval dockyard, four covered dry berths, and logistics infrastructure to support both ships and aircraft. This expansion will play a crucial role in easing the burden on the heavily congested Mumbai harbour, one of the country’s primary maritime hubs.
The eventual Phase-IIB of Project Seabird, currently in the planning phase, will extend the base’s capacity even further. Once completed, Karwar will be capable of hosting 50 warships and submarines, as well as 40 auxiliary craft. Spread across a 25-kilometer stretch, this facility will stand as one of the largest and most advanced naval installations in the region.
These developments underscore India’s long-term vision of transforming into a blue-water navy capable of operating across vast oceanic distances. The focus on nuclear-powered submarines and expansive bases reflects the country’s strategic priorities in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific landscape.
India’s naval modernization efforts are taking place against the backdrop of China’s expanding maritime influence. The Chinese Navy has been steadily increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean Region, often conducting patrols, setting up bases, and deploying submarines under the guise of anti-piracy missions. In response, India is making calculated moves to ensure it remains prepared and competitive in the strategic theatre that spans from the Strait of Hormuz to the South China Sea.
By focusing on stealthy submarine deployments, bolstering infrastructure on both coasts, and investing in next-generation nuclear-powered vessels, India is sending a clear message about its commitment to maritime security and regional stability. The commissioning of the Rambilli base in 2026 will mark a significant milestone in this strategic journey. As Project Varsha and Project Seabird advance in parallel, India is positioning itself as a formidable maritime power prepared to meet the evolving security challenges of the 21st century.