INS Virbahu

INS Virbahu is an Indian Navy submarine base of the Eastern Naval Command located near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.[1][2][3]

INS Virbahu
Virbahu
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
TypeNaval station
Site information
Controlled byIndian Navy
Site history
Built19 May 1971 (1971-05-19)
In use1971-present
Garrison information
OccupantsEastern Naval Command

History

INS Virbahu was commissioned as the shore support base for submarines on 19 May 1971. With the commissioning of INS Virbahu the 8th Submarine Squadron of Vela (Foxtrot) class submarines was based here. The Commanding Officer INS Virbahu was also designated as the Captain submarines 8th Submarine Squadron. Thereafter, with the induction of the Sindhughosh class submarines, the 11th Submarine Squadron was created. As two Submarine Squadrons were based at Visakhapatnam, comprising eight submarines, the scope of responsibility of the Commanding Officer, INS Virbahu, increased many fold. The submarines were thus placed under the operational control of Captain Submarines, 8th and 11th Submarine Squadron. With the increase of the number and type of submarines the operational authority of Submarine Squadrons was elevated from Captain Submarines to Commodore Submarines in Apr 1990. Since the appointment of the Commodore Submarines had a command responsibility towards the submarines the appointment was thus re-christened as Commodore Commanding Submarines (East Coast) in Jun 1997. Initially all training, maintenance, operational and logistic matters pertaining to submarines were dealt by Virbahu. As the Arm expanded, the training role was taken over by INS Satavahana and the Class Authority functions by Submarine Headquarters. But the attachment to the old Alma Mater persists and Virbahu continues to be regarded as the 'Home of the Dolphins' even today.[4]

Objective

The role of INS Virbahu is to provide administrative and logistic support to the 8th and 11th Submarine Squadrons. It also provides accommodation, messing, welfare and recreational facilities to the crews of submarines as applicable.

See also
Indian navy
Integrated commands and units
Other lists

References
  1. "Indian Naval Bases". Global Security. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  2. "INS Virbahu - Home of the Dolphins". The Indian Submariner. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  3. "INS Virbahu". Indian Navy. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  4. Hiranandani, G. M. (2008). Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976-1990. Lancer Publishers.

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