Mumbai, December 19, 2005 (UNI)

Heralding a landmark event in the history of Indian Navy and Karwar naval base in particular, INS Aditya, the 10,000 ton fleet replenishment tanker has been formally based at Karwar from Mumbai with effect from December 15.

To mark this significant event, Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Talwar, INS Ganga and the missle corvette INS Nirghat, along with INS Aditya, showcased their capabilities in a series exercises off Karwar yesterday, as a part of the ''day at sea'' for Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi, a press release issued here today said.

INS Aditya is the first ship to be based at Karwar.

With the basing of the ship from December 15, the Karwar naval base has formally commenced operations. INS Nirdeshak, a survey vessel, will be the next ship to be based there from January 5 next year.

INS Kadamba, the naval base at Karwar, was commissioned on May 31 this year by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The base has state-of-the art maintenance and berthing facilities which includes a 10,000 ton ship-lift system, the release added.