India Tightens Grip On Bay Of Bengal: Navy To Set Up New Strategic Base At Haldia Amid China-Pak-Bangladesh Churn

In a significant boost to India’s maritime posture in the eastern seaboard, the Indian Navy is set to establish a new naval base at Haldia in West Bengal to strengthen surveillance, deterrence and rapid-response capabilities in the northern Bay of Bengal, amid rising Chinese naval activity and evolving regional security dynamics involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Top defence sources said that the facility will operate as a compact naval “detachment” focused on the deployment of small, high-speed warships rather than as a full-fledged command.

What is India’s intent to set up the naval base in Haldia?

The move underscores New Delhi’s intent to plug emerging security gaps in a strategically sensitive maritime zone witnessing increased activity by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

The Navy plans to leverage the existing Haldia dock complex, enabling swift operationalisation with minimal additional infrastructure.

What are the infrastructure and platforms to be deployed at Haldia?

Initial development will include the construction of a dedicated jetty and essential shore-support facilities, significantly cutting down the time and cost required to make the base functional.

Once operational, the Haldia detachment is expected to host Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and the 300-tonne New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs).

What would be the capability of these platforms?

These agile platforms, capable of reaching speeds of 40–45 knots, are designed for quick-response missions such as coastal patrol, interception, harbour defence and special operations in shallow and congested waters.

The vessels are armed with CRN-91 guns and are likely to be fitted with loitering munition capabilities such as the indigenous Nagastra system, enhancing their surveillance and precision strike roles.

Such capabilities are particularly effective along the India-Bangladesh coastline, where shallow waters and dense maritime traffic demand fast and manoeuvrable platforms.

How does China’s footprint in the region threaten India?

The strategic rationale behind the Haldia base extends beyond tactical requirements. These include increased PLAN deployments in the Indian Ocean Region, growing concerns over maritime infiltration, and reported cases of illegal sea crossings from Bangladesh into India.

China’s expanding naval footprint, coupled with Beijing’s deepening defence and infrastructure engagement with Dhaka and its long-standing military partnership with Pakistan, has added urgency to India’s maritime recalibration.

What would be the manpower strength at Haldia?

Relatively small in scale, the Haldia base is expected to house around 100 officers and sailors, indicating its role as a forward-operating facility rather than a major command hub.

Located about 100 km from Kolkata, Haldia offers a strategic advantage by providing direct access to the Bay of Bengal while avoiding the time-consuming transit through the River Hooghly.

How does the development align with Navy’s plans?

The development also aligns with the Navy’s broader force expansion plans. In 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of 120 Fast Interceptor Crafts and 31 NWJFACs.

These vessels, typically around 100 tonnes in displacement and crewed by 10–12 personnel, are tailored for anti-infiltration missions and coastal security.

Such naval posturing is critical for safeguarding sea lanes, monitoring regional developments, and reinforcing India’s role as the primary security provider in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indian Ocean Region.