India's largest naval base, INS Kadamba, was commissioned on Tuesday in Karnataka's Karwar by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The first phase of the naval base, Project Seabird, arguably Asia's most advanced and the country's first with a ship-lift facility, cost around Rs 1,026 crore and can accommodate 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier, defence sources said.
"With the commissioning of this naval base, the Indian Navy will fulfill the responsibility of defending the country and safe-guarding the exclusive economic zone," the defence minister said.
With the commissioning of this base, an important milestone has been achieved and the dream of the visionary former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi fulfilled, he added.
INS Kadamba will house some of the Indian Navy's most potent weapons -- destroyers, stealth frigates and possibly even the soon-to-be acquired Scorpene submarines.
United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also present for the commissioning ceremony.