Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday flagged off Indian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sunayna from the Karwar Naval Base as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The event, held on the 10th anniversary of the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative and National Maritime Day, also saw the inauguration of several modern infrastructure facilities under the Navy’s ambitious Project Seabird, a Rs 2,000-crore expansion plan aimed at transforming Karwar into a premier naval hub.
Accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other top officials, Singh hailed IOS SAGAR as a “reflection of India’s commitment to peace, prosperity, and collective security in the maritime domain.”
IOS Sagar: A Mission of Maritime Cooperation
INS Sunayna has been re-designated as IOS SAGAR for the mission, carrying 44 naval personnel from nine friendly IOR nations — Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
Singh underscored India’s role as a security provider in the region, stating, “Our Navy ensures that, in the IOR, no nation is suppressed by overwhelming economic or military power. We protect the interests of all without compromising anyone’s sovereignty.”
He also linked the mission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative, calling it a natural evolution of the SAGAR vision. “Now that India has transitioned from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR, there could be no better time to launch IOS SAGAR,” he said.
The deployment will include port visits to Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, and Port Victoria. Onboard training will cover firefighting, damage control, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), bridge operations, engine room management, and more. The objective is enhanced interoperability and capacity-building among regional maritime forces.
In a landmark event, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh flagged off #INSSunayna from #Karwar today as #IOS_SAGAR with 44 personnel from 9 friendly foreign navies embarked onboard.
The deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation and underscores India’s… pic.twitter.com/beCHCraPO9
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 5, 2025
Project Seabird: Powering Naval Preparedness
Singh also inaugurated newly completed operational, repair, and logistical infrastructure under Project Seabird, the Indian Navy’s flagship base expansion plan at Karwar.
Key additions to the project encompass a comprehensive marine infrastructure designed for berthing ships, submarines, and various harbour craft. It includes the establishment of an armament wharf and specialized refit piers alongside extensive marine utility complexes and support infrastructure, featuring 25 km of roads, water reservoirs, waste management systems, and security watch towers. Additionally, the development will provide residential quarters comprising 480 dwelling units specifically designed for sailors and defence civilians, ensuring a well-rounded support framework for personnel.
Over 90% of materials and equipment used were sourced domestically, which aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh inaugurated a wide array of Project Seabird infrastructure at Naval Base Karwar on #05Apr 25.
Infrastructure worth Rs 2000 Cr including 09 marine piers, state-of-the-art support utilities and trunk facilities as well as 480 dwelling units for… pic.twitter.com/MorAywVFie
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 5, 2025
“These new facilities will significantly boost operational readiness along the West Coast and support sustained naval operations in the region,” Singh said, adding that the project will also spur local economic growth in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district.
Team BharatShakti
