Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a two-day visit to Karwar in Karnataka and Kochi in Kerala to review the progress on Indian Navy’s two critical projects — ongoing infrastructure development at the Karwar Naval Base and the progress of construction of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant.

“Leaving New Delhi on a two day visit to Karwar and Kochi. Shall review the ongoing infrastructure development at Karwar and also the progress of construction of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) at Kochi,” the Defence Minister said in a tweet earlier today.

INS Kadamba (Karwar), which is home to India's only aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, is currently undergoing expansion under Phase-IIA of the project. The plan, which is likely to cost around Rs 20,000 was approved a few years ago.

The base will serve as the headquarters of the proposed Maritime Theatre Command. It will have two eight operational and two refit piers, a full-fledged naval dockyard and construction of a naval air station. After the phase is over, at least 32 submarines and major warships will be able to dock at the base.

The Defence Minister will also review the progress on India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The carrier, reports say, is likely to go for sea trials in the next few weeks. It will be commissioned into the Indian Navy later this year.

The basin trials of the aircraft carrier were successfully completed at Cochin Shipyard Limited in December last year.