India making Bay of Bengal into a nuclear launchpad

India is constructing a submarine base in the Bay of Bengal that when completed will provide a sanctuary for its sea-based nuclear deterrent against Pakistan and China.

This month, the Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW) reported that India’s ambitious Project Varsha, a sprawling 1,680-acre naval base, is rapidly taking shape on the Eastern Coast at Rambilli. Recent satellite images indicate a rapid expansion, suggesting the project is on track for completion within its designated timeframe.

Project Varsha is a strategic naval base designed to house a fleet of over 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Its most striking feature is an extensive underground complex, revealed by satellite imagery, which includes tunnels likely intended as submarine pens.

The base’s underground sanctuary promises to protect India’s SSBNs from aerial threats and prying eyes while also providing essential support facilities for nuclear engineering. Above ground, the construction of piers suggests the capability to accommodate a variety of surface vessels, enhancing the base’s operational flexibility.

Project Varsha’s location offers a strategic advantage by positioning the Indian Navy closer to the critical shipping lanes of the Indo-Pacific. This proximity allows for a swift response to regional threats and facilitates collaboration with the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), India’s nuclear establishment.

Project Varsha is designed to enhance significantly India’s naval deterrence, allowing the deployment of nuclear-armed submarines from a secure, underground base. This signals India’s commitment to maintaining a formidable presence in the Indian Ocean region, ensuring the nation’s security and bolstering its position