India to open nuclear submarine base in Andhra Pradesh by 2026 As China Expands Indian Ocean Reach

India is poised to operationalise a major nuclear submarine base on its eastern coast by 2026, as strategic competition intensifies in the Indian Ocean.

The facility, located near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh, around 50km south of Visakhapatnam, is intended to serve as a covert hub for India’s nuclear-powered submarines and warships, Caliber.Az reports via Indian media.

The development comes amid mounting apprehensions over China’s expanding naval footprint in the region, particularly its increased presence and influence in the Indian Ocean. The base, part of the long-standing Project Varsha, is expected to enhance India's ability to conduct strategic submarine patrols, providing a critical edge in long-range maritime deterrence.

Thus, the Rambilli base has been designed with extensive underground infrastructure, including reinforced pens and tunnel systems, to shield vessels from surveillance satellites. This will allow nuclear submarines to enter and exit the Bay of Bengal undetected, giving India a stealthy route to key maritime chokepoints such as the Malacca Strait.

“The first phase of the Rambilli base under Project Varsha is almost complete. After commissioning in 2026, it can be expanded and upgraded in phases, much like what is under way at the Karwar base under Project Seabird,” a source told TOI.

The project, which has faced numerous technical and environmental challenges since its inception over a decade ago, is now nearing completion. Once operational, it is expected to significantly bolster India’s naval posture in the eastern theatre, reinforcing its strategic deterrence capabilities amid shifting regional dynamics.

By Aghakazim Guliyev