INS Virbahu

INS Virbahu
Virbahu
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Type	Naval station
Site information
Controlled by	Indian Navy
Site history
Built	May 19, 1971 (1971-05-19)
In use	1971-present
Garrison information
Occupants	Eastern Naval Command

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

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.

References

↑ "Indian Naval Bases". Global Security. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
↑ "INS Virbahu - Home of the Dolphins". The Indian Submariner. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
↑ "INS Virbahu". Indian Navy. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
↑ Hiranandani, G. M. (2008). Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976-1990. Lancer Publishers.

Naval establishments of India

Western Naval Command	INS Dwarka INS Sardar Patel INS Kadamba INS Vajrakosh INHS Patanjali INS Gomantak INS Hansa INHS Jeevanti INS Angre INS Abhimanyu INS Agnibahu INHS Asvini INS Kunjai INS Shikra INS Tanaji INS Trata INS Tunir INS Vajrabahu

Southern Naval Command	INS Dweeprakshak INS Minicoy INS Androth INS Bitra** INS Garuda INHS Sanjivani INS Venduruthy INS Droncharya INS Chikla INHS Nivrani INS Mandovi INS Hamla INS Shivaji INHS Kasturi INS Valsura INS Rajali INS Agrani INS Zamorin INS Satavahana INS Vishwakarma

Eastern Naval Command	INS Circars INS Dega INS Virbahu INHS Kalyani INS Kalinga INS Eksila INS Karna INS Adyar INS Parundu INS Kattabomman INS Tuticorin INS Netaji Subhash INS Paradip INS Bhubaneswar INS Varsha**

Andaman and Nicobar Command	INS Kardip INS Jarawa INS Utkrosh INS Baaz INS Campbell Bay INS Shibpur

(**Under construction)

Coordinates: 17°41′58.9″N 83°16′14.3″E / 17.699694°N 83.270639°E / 17.699694; 83.270639

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