Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lays foundation stone for India’s 2nd VLF radar station in Vikarabad, Telangana

Source : The Hindu

                                                            

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for Indian Navy’s second Very Low Frequency (VLF) Naval Station in the Damagundam forest area of Vikarabad district on Tuesday. This facility, which is set to be operational by 2027, is expected to enhance Indian Navy’s communication with ships and submarines.

“This establishment will greatly benefit the armed forces. Once the VLF station becomes operational, it will significantly support the armed forces. With warfare becoming increasingly dynamic, seamless coordination between ‘men and machine’ is essential,” said Mr. Singh while speaking at the venue.

Enhancing morale

“A robust military communication system will prove critical in complex situations by ensuring clear and secure transmission of command orders to the field. When soldiers stay updated with the latest developments, it enhances their morale and effectiveness,” said Mr. Singh, who commended Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his cooperation on the project.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh laid the foundation stone for Very Low Frequency (VLF) Station in Vikarabad, Telangana, to bolster Navy’s operational readiness. This cutting-edge facility will ensure secure & real-time communication between ships/submarines & command centers,… pic.twitter.com/y4JP34dcwc

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 15, 2024

Agreement signed

This is India’s second such station — the first, INS Kattabomman, has been operational in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, since 1990. After identifying Telangana as a suitable location, the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam finalised Vikarabad for the new facility. The Vikarabad District Forest Officer (DFO) and the Naval Command Agency have signed an agreement for the transfer of 1,174 hectares (2,900 acres) of forest land to the Navy for the project.

In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi stated that the project is set to herald a new chapter in Indian Navy’s communication capabilities by ensuring a secure, robust, responsive, and reliable command, control and communication network across the oceans. He added that the facility, once completed, would complement the existing VLF station at INS Kattabomman, in Tirunelveli.

“This VLF station would play an important role in enabling the seamless secure worldwide communication, including most importantly, with our dived submarines, thus ensuring their stealth and enhanced effectiveness. May it stand tall, as a testament to the strength and standing of our nation today, and the unwavering commitment of our Navy to protect and promote our National Maritime Interests - Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow,” the Chief of the Naval Staff said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Minister for Forests & Environment, Telangana Government Konda Surekha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence and state government were present on the occasion.

Naval township

The station will be located near Puduru in Vikarabad and will include a naval township with essential amenities such as schools, hospitals, banks and markets to support nearly 3,000 residents, including 600 naval personnel.

To mitigate ecological impacts, the Navy has committed to extensive reforestation efforts in the surrounding areas to maintain biodiversity. As part of the project, 27 km of new roads will also be constructed around the Damagundam Reserve Forest, according to a release from Chief Minister’s office on January 24.