Tuesday, May 31 2005 16:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Karwar (Karnataka): India's largest naval base INS Kadamba was today (May 31,2005) commissioned by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Karwar.

The first phase of Project Seabird, the naval base, arguably Asia's most advanced and the countries first with a ship-lift facility, cost about Rs 1026 crore and can accommodate 11 ships including an aircraft carrier.

"With the commissioning of this Naval base the Navy will fulfil the responsibility of defending the country and safeguarding the exclusive economic zone," the Defence Minister said.

With this commissioning an important milestone has been achieved and the dream of the visionary Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi has been fulfilled, he said.

INS Kadama developed at Karwar, a natural harbour in Karnataka, is to house some of the Navy's most potent weapons - destroyers, stealth frigates and possibly even the soon-to-be acquired Scorpene submarines.