Rear Admiral Vikram Menon Appointed Flag Officer Commanding at INS Kadamba, Karnataka Naval Area
A significant transition in leadership occurred at INS Kadamba, the leading naval base of the Indian Navy, located in Karwar, Karnataka, on August 21. Rear Admiral Vikram Menon, VSM, took over as the Flag Officer Commanding of the Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) from Rear Admiral KM Ramakrishnan, VSM, during a formal ceremony.
This change in command highlights the Navy's continuous efforts to enhance its operational readiness and expand its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region amidst changing geopolitical dynamics.
Commissioned on May 31, 2005, as part of the ambitious Project Seabird, INS Kadamba is strategically located along a 26-kilometer stretch between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
| Phase I, completed in 2011 at a cost of ₹2,629 crore, laid the foundation for one of the world's largest naval bases. |
| Once fully developed, Kadamba will accommodate 50 frontline warships and 40 auxiliary vessels, making it the largest naval facility east of the Suez Canal. |
| The ongoing Phase IIA expansion, initiated after 2017, continues to develop infrastructure and logistics, enhancing India's maritime capabilities. |
Rear Admiral Vikram Menon boasts a distinguished naval career as an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Naval War College, amassing over 35 years of service.
His notable career achievements include:
| Serving as Joint Secretary (Navy & Defence Staff) at the Ministry of Defence, New Delhi. |
| Commanding positions at units such as INS Tillanchang, INS Sharda, and INS Hansa, where he received the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018. |
| Distinguished service as a qualified flying instructor with over 2,000 flight hours, including piloting Sea Harrier fighter jets from INS Viraat. |
INS Kadamba is integral to India's maritime security strategy, playing a key role in operations like Operation Sankalp (2019) to safeguard Indian-flagged vessels in high-risk zones.
Amidst regional challenges such as China's "String of Pearls" strategy, the expansion of this base is essential for the Navy's Indo-Pacific focus.
The Navy plans to relocate major assets, including guided-missile destroyers and Scorpène-class submarines, to Karwar, further solidifying Kadamba's status as a strategic maritime hub.
Rear Admiral Menon's appointment is timely for the Navy's modernization initiatives. His leadership is anticipated to guide INS Kadamba to its full operational potential, bolstering India's naval capabilities and ensuring security throughout the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
