INS VAJRABAHU

INS Vajrabahu, a submarine base commissioned on 01 February 1996, is the shore support unit for providing administrative, logistic and operational support to the submarines based on the West Coast. This submarine base significantly augments the dry docking and berthing facilities for submarines docked at Mumbai. The dry dock is unique, in that it is the first such facility being built into the sea. Its foundation is on solid rock, eliminating the need for marine piles which would have been expensive. It will be made of interlocking concrete blocks. The dry dock's pump hoses, electric sub-stations, compressors and related equipment are underground or within the confines of the out-fitting berths, to enable unhindered movement of personnel & material to dry docked vessels and those berthed alongside. To permit optimum utilization, the dry dock has in addition to the lock gate at its mouth, a second transferable lock gate within. Thus by dividing the docking space, the Indian Navy can use sections of it separately for servicing submarines and even surface vessels of different sizes.

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