THE SECOND SUBMARINE BASE

	Accomodation complex for submarine sailors in Bombay.

With the commissioning of the Vela class submarines commencing in 1973, it became necessary to build the basic infrastructure for operating and maintaining submarines in Bombay.

The first accommodation for submarine crews was a seven-story building housed the office of the Captain (S/M) of the 9th Submarine Squadron, when it was formed in 1974. The Captain (S/M) of the Squadron for some time was also simultaneously the commanding officer of the submarine deport ship, INS Amba. The appointments were subsequently bifurcated, and a full-fledged submarine base began functioning in Bombay.

As new submarines joined the fleet, additional space was required and facilities were set up for the Shishumar class submarines. The submarine Base Complex was inaugurated in August 1987. This building contains all the submarine offices, and the office of the Commodore (Submarines), West Coast.

	Submarine Base Bombay

Today the submarine base at Bombay operates and maintains a sizeable part of the submarine force, backed by a sophisticated infrastructure and well-trained, superbly motivated submarine personnel who spare no effort to keep the " sharp end of the spear" honed and ready for action.