India is strengthening its maritime presence in the northern Bay of Bengal by establishing a new naval "detachment" in West Bengal. The move comes amid increasing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean and evolving security dynamics involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.
According to an India Today report citing top defense sources, the facility will operate out of the existing Haldia dock complex. Utilizing existing infrastructure allows the Indian Navy to operationalize the site quickly without extensive new construction.
The Haldia base is expected to host Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and 300-tonne New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs). These vessels are designed for agility, reaching speeds of 40–45 knots. The deployment of Armament like Vessels will be equipped with CRN-91 guns. Plans with technology include loitering munitions, such as the Nagastra system, to boost surveillance and strike capabilities. The base will be compact, staffed by approximately 100 officers and sailors.
Defense experts suggest the base is a response to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) expanding its footprint in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the facility aims to curb maritime infiltration and illegal sea-route crossings along the India-Bangladesh coastline.
Located roughly 100km from Kolkata, the Haldia site provides direct access to the Bay of Bengal, bypassing the time-consuming transit required through the Hooghly River.
This development follows the 2024 approval by India’s Defence Acquisition Council to procure 120 FICs and 31 NWJFACs. While India maintains major eastern bases in Visakhapatnam and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this new detachment fills a strategic gap in the northern Bay, reinforcing India's role as a primary regional security provider.
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