SOURCE: AFI
India is on the brink of a monumental milestone in its naval capabilities with the nearing completion of INS Varsha, a state-of-the-art underground base designed to house nuclear submarines. Strategically located near the coastal village of Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh, approximately 70 km from the Visakhapatnam naval base, this facility is expected to become operational within the next two years.
The need for a stealthy and secure base for nuclear-powered submarines has long been a strategic priority for India. The second phase of Project Varsha, initially delayed due to forest-land acquisition issues since 2010, received a significant boost in 2018 when the Modi government addressed these challenges and expedited its construction.
Six years later, the underground base is nearing completion, poised to serve as a cornerstone of India’s naval defense and power projection capabilities in the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and the broader Indo-Pacific.
The base, estimated to cost approximately US$3.75 billion, is designed to accommodate more than 12 nuclear-powered submarines, including Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and the future S5-class SSBNs. This capability is set to bolster India’s nuclear deterrence and second-strike capabilities, essential components of its defense doctrine.
The location of INS Varsha is equally significant. Nestled within natural topographical features that enhance its stealth and security, the base ensures a heightened level of operational secrecy for India’s most advanced naval assets.
INS Varsha is more than just a naval base; it is a strategic asset that strengthens India’s ties with Quad partners—the United States, Japan, and Australia. As India deepens its security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the base will serve as a hub for joint ventures, technological collaborations, and coordinated maritime strategies with like-minded nations.
The facility’s advanced capabilities will also enable India to project power far beyond its immediate waters, ensuring a robust presence in critical sea lanes of communication and offering a counterbalance to increasing Chinese naval activities in the region.
INS Varsha underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its naval infrastructure and enhancing its maritime security posture. It reflects a broader vision of achieving self-reliance in defense capabilities while playing a pivotal role in regional stability and security.