Naval Base in Lakshadweep

The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned its latest Naval Base, INS Dweeprakshak, at Kavaratti island in a bid to augment the security infrastructure at the strategically important Lakshadweep archipelago.

The Naval Base was commissioned by Vice Admiral KN Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command, said a Navy release.

Vice Admiral Sushil said that the commissioning of the full-fledged Naval Base was yet another milestone in the commitment of the Indian Navy to maintain effective coastal surveillance and Defence capability. He also complimented the crew of the INS Dweeprakshak and exhorted them to do their best in the discharge of their responsibilities, the release said.

He informed the gathering at the commissioning ceremony that radar stations and other surveillance measures were in place for shipping traffic monitoring and Intelligence gathering. The ceremony of naming the establishment was performed by Sunitha Ismail, chairperson of the Lakshadweep State Social Welfare Board.

Indian Navy had been operating a detachment at Kavaratti since early eighties, the release said. With the commissioning of INS Dweeprakshak, “the island territories would see calibrated strengthening of assets in step with their growing relevance to the security calculus of the nation,” it said.

A firmer footing in the islands, spread out astride some of the busiest shipping lanes of the world, would provide the necessary wherewithal to the Indian Navy to discharge its responsibilities suitably, the release said. Indian Naval warships on patrol would now extend their reach farther with base support from INS Dweeprakshak, it added.