India Plans New Naval Facility in Bay of Bengal to Boost Regional Maritime Surveillance
India is preparing to establish a new naval facility in eastern India as part of efforts to strengthen maritime monitoring and security in the northern Bay of Bengal, according to defence sources.
The planned naval installation will be located at Haldia in West Bengal and is intended to expand the Indian Navy’s operational reach in an area of growing strategic importance. Officials say the move comes amid increased naval activity by China in the Indian Ocean region and evolving security dynamics involving neighbouring countries.
Rather than a full-scale base, the facility will function as a compact naval detachment focused on deploying fast and agile patrol vessels. The Navy is expected to utilise the existing Haldia port infrastructure, allowing the site to become operational quickly with limited new construction. Initial upgrades will include a dedicated jetty and essential shore-based support systems.
The base is expected to host high-speed Fast Interceptor Crafts and New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts. These vessels are designed for rapid response missions and can reach speeds exceeding 40 knots. They are typically armed with light naval guns and may also be equipped with loitering munitions to enhance surveillance and precision strike capabilities.
Defence analysts say the location offers several strategic advantages. The northern Bay of Bengal features shallow waters and heavy commercial traffic, conditions that favour small, fast vessels for patrol and interception duties. Authorities have also expressed concern about illegal maritime crossings and the use of sea routes for infiltration along the India–Bangladesh coastline.
The development comes as China continues to expand its naval presence in the Indian Ocean and deepen defence cooperation with regional partners, including Bangladesh and Pakistan. Analysts view the new facility as part of India’s broader effort to maintain situational awareness and protect key sea lanes in the eastern Indian Ocean.
The Haldia naval detachment is expected to be modest in size, with roughly 100 naval personnel stationed there. Its position, about 100 kilometres from Kolkata, provides direct access to the Bay of Bengal while avoiding lengthy river transit routes.
India already operates major naval installations along its eastern seaboard, including the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam and strategic bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Officials noted that land for the Haldia facility had been earmarked earlier, but construction had been delayed.
The move also aligns with the Navy’s ongoing fleet expansion. In recent years, India has approved the acquisition of additional fast patrol and attack crafts designed for coastal security, harbour defence, and special operations.
Security experts say such deployments are essential for safeguarding maritime trade routes, monitoring regional developments, and reinforcing India’s role as a key security provider in the Bay of Bengal region.
