Indian Navy commissions INS Sardar Patel naval base in Porbandar

Indian Navy has commissioned INS Sardar Patel naval base in Porbandar, Gujarat in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and Admiral RK Dowan.
The aim of this new naval base at Porbandar is to beef up security along the 1600 km coastline of the state. It will also increase the maritime security on western coast and strengthen surveillance and security in the region.
The newly commissioned naval base is christened after India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Patel. It is second naval base of Indian Navy on Gujarat coast, the first one is INS Dwarka at Okha in Dwarka district.
Importance of INS Sardar Patel naval base

• It is a Forward Operating Base (FOB), located at a crucial strategic position as far as Navy is concerned because this coastal area is close to our western neighbours in Northern Arabian Sea, including along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.
• This naval base also will strenghten the maritime security and surveillance operations of Indian Navy as warships or surveillance ships can be mobilised at any time.
• In addition, it will also protect the maritime infrastructure and commercial interests of Gujarat which caters around 70% of the country’s oil and 73% of gas imports through different ports located across the state.
• The ports of Gujarat also handle 40 to 50% of the total maritime trade handled by the various ports of India.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2015