Haldia, West Bengal: The Indian Navy has begun preparatory work to establish a new naval detachment at Haldia, marking a significant expansion of India’s maritime posture along the northern Bay of Bengal. Senior naval sources confirmed that the facility, yet to be formally named, will function as a forward detachment for small and fast warships, enhancing surveillance and rapid-response capabilities close to India’s eastern maritime frontier and the Bangladesh coastline.
The new Haldia detachment will primarily operate Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) and the New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC)—high-speed platforms designed for coastal security, patrol, and interception missions. Initial work will focus on basic infrastructure, including the construction of a dedicated jetty and essential support facilities. With land allotment issues that had stalled the project earlier now resolved, officials say work can proceed at pace.
Strategic Location Reduces Operational Constraints
Haldia’s location, roughly 100 kilometres from Kolkata, offers a key operational advantage. By operating directly from the Bay of Bengal, naval units will be able to avoid the long and time-consuming transit up the Hooghly river, allowing faster deployment during contingencies. The detachment is expected to be modest in size, housing around 100 officers and sailors, or possibly fewer, reflecting its focused operational role rather than that of a full-fledged naval base.
While the Indian Navy already maintains major facilities on the eastern seaboard—most notably Visakhapatnam, home to the Eastern Naval Command headquarters, and strategic bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—the Haldia detachment will fill a critical geographic gap in the northern Bay of Bengal, close to busy shipping lanes and sensitive coastal areas.
Fast Craft Fleet Backed by 2024 Acquisition Clearance
The operational backbone of the new detachment will be reinforced by a major acquisition programme cleared in 2024. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the Indian Navy’s proposal to procure 120 Fast Interceptor Craft and 31 New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft.
The FICs are compact but potent platforms, displacing around 100 tonnes, capable of speeds of up to 45 knots, and armed with machine guns. Each craft can carry 10–12 personnel and is suited for a wide range of missions, including coastal patrol, maritime interdiction, harbour defence, escort duties, and quick reaction operations against asymmetric threats.
Watching Developments in Bangladesh and Beyond
Naval sources said the Haldia detachment will play an important role in monitoring maritime activity off Bangladesh, a region of growing strategic interest. In November last year, the Pakistan Navy deployed a Chinese-built guided missile frigate to Bangladesh in what was described as a high-profile port visit. The visit followed a period of closer defence engagement between Dhaka and Islamabad, particularly after political changes in Bangladesh in August 2024, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left office.
Significantly, two-star level staff talks between the Pakistan and Bangladesh navies were held in November, the first such engagement of its kind. Indian defence planners assess that Pakistan–Bangladesh military cooperation is likely to expand in the coming years, adding a new dimension to the security environment in the Bay of Bengal.
China’s Longstanding Naval Footprint in Bangladesh
India’s assessment is further shaped by China’s deep and sustained naval involvement with Bangladesh over the past decade. China has transferred two submarines to the Bangladesh Navy, significantly enhancing Dhaka’s undersea warfare capabilities. In parallel, China has been involved in the construction of a submarine base near Chittagong, a facility that was initially named after Sheikh Hasina but has since been renamed, reflecting the changing political landscape.
Indian analysts view these developments collectively as part of a broader strategic churn in the northern Bay of Bengal, where regional and extra-regional navies are seeking greater access and influence.
A Forward Presence with Regional Implications
Against this backdrop, the Haldia detachment represents a measured but strategically significant step by the Indian Navy. Rather than a large base, it is designed as a lean, forward-operating node, optimised for speed, surveillance, and situational awareness. Once operational, it will strengthen India’s ability to respond swiftly to developments along its eastern maritime approaches, safeguard coastal and offshore interests, and maintain close watch over evolving naval dynamics involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, and China in the Bay of Bengal.
