Which is the world’s largest naval base east of the Suez Canal?

a. Dwarka

b. Haikou

c. Karwar

d. Naval Station Norfolk

ANSWER: Karwar

Explanation:

Together with INS Vajrakosh and INS Kadamba (another station 20 km away), the naval base at Karwar is spread out over 1000 acres making it - the world's largest naval base east of the Suez Canal.

Project Seabird -1985, a 25000 cr project to build a naval base at Karwar which is to be commissioned from 2005 onwards. Phase I was INS Kadamba naval station and Phase II was INS Vajrakosh naval station.

Karwar was chosen because - The Bombay and Cochin Harbours - the two major Naval stations in the Western Sea Board - are over-crowded with commercial traffic; It was thought to be out of range of Pakistan’s Airforce. (Not the case now); and from Karwar, deployment can be done simultaneously in a very short time.

INS Vajrakosh has been inaugurated recently. INS Vajrakosh will be the biggest missiles, ammunition and spares dump on the Western Sea Board. It will be a station that will equip all warships and airplanes.