The Indian Navy has formally advanced its proposal to acquire nearly ₹1,700 acres of land at the Badangi Airstrip in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.

The site, located near Bobbili, is earmarked for the creation of a major naval armament depot, a training facility, and an emergency alternate airbase. This initiative is designed to supplement the existing Naval Armament Depot in Visakhapatnam, which has reached its storage limits.

The land requirement has grown significantly from the original 221-acre footprint established during the Second World War. Earlier estimates had suggested a need for 1,000 to 1,200 acres, but the latest evaluations have expanded this to approximately 1,700 acres.

Defence and Navy teams have already inspected the site, including portions encroached upon by farmers, following clearance queries raised by the Ministry of Defence.

The Badangi Airstrip carries historical weight, having been constructed by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. At its peak, it was one of British India’s largest bases, equipped with underground bunkers and a substantial armament depot.

However, it was abandoned after 1946, leaving behind infrastructure that has remained dormant for decades.

The revival of Badangi has been under consideration for over 15 years, but the push has gained renewed urgency in late 2026. The driver behind this effort is the inadequacy of the Visakhapatnam Naval Armament Depot, which cannot accommodate the growing storage requirements of the Navy. The new facility at Badangi would provide the necessary depth and resilience, while also serving as a training ground and an alternate landing base in emergencies.

Strategically, the location offers proximity to Visakhapatnam, India’s Eastern Naval Command headquarters, and provides a fall back option in case of operational contingencies.

The depot would enhance India’s ability to store, manage, and deploy critical armaments, strengthening the Navy’s logistics footprint in the eastern seaboard.

The inspection and verification of lands, including those currently under cultivation, indicate that the project is moving closer to formalisation. Once approved, the Badangi facility would represent a significant expansion of India’s naval infrastructure, blending historical legacy with modern strategic requirements.

The pursuit of this project reflects India’s broader defence modernisation program, which seeks to expand storage, training, and operational capabilities across multiple theatres. The Badangi revival, if realised, would mark a major milestone in this trajectory, reinforcing India’s maritime preparedness and resilience.

Agencies