Context: 

The Defence Minister is set to inaugurate several infrastructure projects at the Indian Navy‘s strategically located base in Karnataka’s Karwar. 

• These projects, developed under Project ‘Seabird,’ aim to enhance India’s long-term security interests in the Indian Ocean region.

Overview of Project Seabird:

• The Project Seabird at the Karwar Naval Base is the biggest naval project in India.
• Objective: Its goal is to offer assistance to fleets and maintain warships.
• Location: located near Karwar in Karnataka

Phase I of Project Seabird:

• Completion year: The initial phase of Project Seabird was completed in 2005. 
  • The first phase of the naval base was called Operation Seabird. 
• Objective: It aimed to provide facilities for 10 ships.
• Essential infrastructures: It included various essential infrastructures such as a breakwater, a pier capable of accommodating 10 ships, a ship lift capable of lifting 10,000 tons, and a dry berth.

Phase IIA of Project Seabird:

• The second phase of the naval base started in 2011.
• The Cabinet Committee on Security approved Phase IIA, aiming to accommodate 32 ships and submarines, along with 23 Yardcraft.
• Phase IIA focuses on constructing buildings and structures adhering to environmental guidelines set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MOEF) and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

News Source: PIB