Thoothukudi

Naval base to come up at Thoothukudi

NEW DELHI: Thoothukudi  and Paradip would be developed into forward operating bases by the Navy as it seeks to strengthen its position on the eastern coast.

The move is aimed at reducing the turn-around time of the eastern fleet that depended only on Visakhapatnam and Chennai for replenishments.

The west coast is already packed with the navy having forward operating bases at Porbandar and Mangalore apart from major hubs at Mumbai, Kochi and Karwar.

The government has finally given nod to navy’s proposal and these bases would now be developed in the next two to three years.

The issue of their development plan was discussed at the naval commanders’ conference that got underway in New Delhi.

It would not be a difficult task as Paradip and Thoothukudi are already major ports and would be able to meet navy’s logistical demands, said officials.

Along with developing new bases, the navy will also seek to engage the Indian Ocean countries in a far more aggressive manner in a move to counter China’s growing footprints in the region.

Defence Minister A K Antony told naval commanders to concentrate on this area and extend every possible help to smaller nations.

The effort has already begun with New Delhi gifting basic patrol aircraft to Seychelles.

Antony said India is committed to deploying ships and aircraft for surveillance of seas near Maldives and Seychelles.

Navy has been asked to concentrate particularly on friendly African countries in the western Indian Ocean region particularly Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. Under the same plan, navy had organised a three-nation exercise earlier this year involving Brazil and South African off the African coast.