The Narendra Modi government is all set to raise the level of maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Some of these measures include, for instance, extending the airport initially at some of the strategic stations and allowing night landing at Port Blair airport.
The growth of the airports has been planned at Diglipur in North Andaman, together with Campbell Bay in the Great Nicobar Island, to support the handling of large aircraft. Also, the night operations process is going to start at Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair to improve operation flexibility.
Besides, the government is only in the process of approving the implementation of the extension of the runway at Agatti Airport in Lakshadweep and establishing another new runway at Minicoy Islands. The size of the runway at INS Baaz at Campbell Bay Photo will be increased to 10000 feet to accommodate large jets and fighters, whereas the size of the runway at INS Kohassa at Diglipur will also be increased. Both runways could be used as forward-deployed airbases in case of any eventualities that would boost India’s strategic capability.
The Indian military is set to carry out the operational exercise of night landing through Airbus 321 at Veer Savarkar Airport soon. This step will help expand commercial operations, especially jet planes at night, another factor that will enhance the relevance of the airport.
The Modi government’s strategic resolve is clear from the instances showcasing India’s bid to project deeper into the IOR by commissioning six more radars in Andaman and Nicobar Islands with some more in Lakshadweep. The installation of these stations will also improve MD and ADA’s ability to offer an early warning system.
Construction of a new long runway in Campbell Bay, along with the introduction of high-power radar, is part of a proposed plan to develop a reshipment centre at Galathea Bay of Great Nicobar Island. This place is only 150 km away from Banda Aceh, Indonesia, which explains the rationale behind it.
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