The new naval facility augments coastal surveillance and maritime security infrastructure in the strategically important state of Gujarat. This Forward Operating Base (FOB) would also enhance the logistic support being provided to Indian Navy units deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea, including along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.
India on Saturday got a new naval base with the commissioning of 'Sardar Patel', the latest naval establishment at Porbandar in Gujarat.
The new naval facility augments coastal surveillance and maritime security infrastructure in the strategically important state of Gujarat. This Forward Operating Base (FOB) would also enhance the logistic support being provided to Indian Navy units deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea, including along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.
Gujarat has a coastline of 1,600 km interspersed with 43 ports. Of these, besides Kandla being a major port, 11 are intermediate and 31 are minor ports. In addition, there are 12 single point moorings (SPMs) in the Gulf of Kutch. Presently 120 million tons, ie 71% of the country's oil and 73% of gas is imported though the Gulf of Kutch, which is only steadily increasing. The ports of Gujarat handle 300 million tons of cargo annually, which is 43% of the total maritime trade handled by the various ports of India.
In addition, the industrial development of Gujarat, with its high maritime component and considerable industrial infrastructure on the seafront, makes it vulnerable from sea not only during hostilities but also during peacetime. The economic importance of this frontal maritime state, in the overall national security dynamics, is the core factor governing sustenance and operation of naval assets from the Forward Operating Naval base at Porbandar.
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