India is building a stealth naval base on the east coast near Rambilli, Andhra Pradesh, designed to host nuclear submarines and warships. The base, part of Project Varsha, is expected to be commissioned by 2026.
Why it matters: this isn’t just another military base. It’s India’s version of China’s Hainan—an underground facility with deep-water access that allows submarines to slip in and out undetected, even by satellites.
That level of stealth is critical for Submersible Ship Ballistic Missile Nuclear submarines (SSBN), which carry nuclear missiles and need to stay hidden for months.
Once live, the Rambilli base will support India’s growing nuclear submarine fleet, including the upcoming INS Aridhaman. It’s India’s third SSBN and will carry more K-4 missiles than its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
On another note: on the west coast, India is scaling up Karwar under Project Seabird. With upgrades inaugurated just this weekend, the base will soon handle 32 ships and submarines—more than triple its original capacity.
Bottomline: with Project Varsha in the east and Seabird in the west, India is quietly building a two-coast nuclear deterrent. It’s one of the most strategic defence upgrades in recent years.
