New Delhi, December 01, 2007 (DefenceIndia News Service)

The Western Naval Command will soon be presenting a note to the Cabinet Committee on Security asking for additional funds for implementing the phase II of the Karwar naval base, Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief Western Naval Command Vice Admiral J S Bedi said.

"We have already finished phase I of the project which involved land acquisition and building some facilities. In the second phase, we plan to build additional facilities for berthing 40-44 ships at the port, making it one of the most important on the western coast," Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief Western Naval Command Vice Admiral J S Bedi said.

The navy, which already has 10,000 acre land at the site in north Karnataka, does not plan to acquire any more land, he said.

However, Bedi asserted that the Navy does not plan to wind-up its operations in Mumbai.

"The Bombay harbour will be congested due to development like the trans harbour sea link and expansion plans of the Mumbai Port Trust for which we developed Karwar. But let me assure you that the Navy is not getting out of Bombay," Vice Admiral Bedi said.

Pointing at the latest development, Bedi said the country is presently developing its own amphibious vessel and added that after the launch of the US-made INS Jalashwa which is stationed at Vishakapatnam, Karwar will also have a similar vessel.

"Like any other professional force, it is our objective that the Navy must be able to affect the battle on land," he said.

Meanwhile, Bedi said two frigates of the Navy have been equipped with the BRAHMOS missile and plans are on to install it on the ships.