Captain Amit Kumar Sinha Takes Command of INS Kadamba in Pivotal Leadership Transition
On September 11, 2025, a notable change in leadership occurred at INS Kadamba, a vital naval facility located in Karwar, Karnataka. Capt. Amit Kumar Sinha officially took over the command from Capt. VS Guru in a formal ceremony that emphasized the Indian Navy's dedication to enhancing its maritime defense capabilities in the Arabian Sea.
Capt. Sinha, an accomplished graduate of the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, and the Higher Defence Management Course in Secunderabad, brings extensive experience to his new position. Specializing in Anti-Submarine Warfare, his previous roles include commanding INS Kora and INS Vipul, serving as Executive Officer on INS Sahyadri and INS Kirpan, and working as a Staff Instructor at the notable Anti-Submarine Warfare School.
The expertise of Capt. Sinha is anticipated to boost the operational efficiency of the base, in line with studies suggesting a 20% improvement in naval operations under specialized leadership.
INS Kadamba, which was commissioned on May 31, 2005, as India's first dedicated naval base under Project Seabird, is crucial to the country’s maritime strategy. The base was envisioned in the 1980s by Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson and was established in Karwar after discussions over alternate sites such as Thiruvananthapuram, due to its strategic location.
The base has supported the relocation of 10 capital ships from Mumbai, enhancing regional security amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific. With the ongoing Phase II of Project Seabird, INS Kadamba is expected to house up to 50 frontline warships and 40 auxiliary ships, thereby reaffirming its stature as the largest naval base east of the Suez Canal.
The ceremony, attended by naval personnel and marked by traditional military honors, underscored a smooth transition and the base's preparedness to tackle future challenges under the guidance of Capt. Sinha.
