India has announced its intention to build a new naval base on the Lakshadweep archipelago, located off the country’s southwest coast. This decision comes as part of India’s efforts to bolster regional security, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence on Saturday. The Indian Navy will commission the INS Jatayu on Minicoy Island, the southernmost island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, on March 6.
The archipelago is positioned strategically along primary maritime trade routes between the Strait of Malacca and the Gulfs of Aden and Hormuz. The base, INS Jatayu, will enhance the operational reach of the Indian Navy and support anti-piracy and anti-narcotics efforts in the Western Arabian Sea.
INS Jatayu’s commissioning is vital for India and its regional naval operations. The new maritime base will enhance the Indian Navy’s overall operational capability and reach, adding to its existing base in the Lakshadweep archipelago, INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.
With the establishment of INS Jatayu, the Navy aims to strengthen its foothold in the Lakshadweep islands and extend its operational surveillance, reach, and sustenance. The base will facilitate efforts towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the western Arabian Sea, further contributing to regional maritime security.
Additionally, INS Jatayu will augment the Navy’s capability as a first responder in the region and enhance connectivity between the Lakshadweep islands and the mainland. Developing the dual-use airfield at Minicoy, which is currently in progress, will support military and commercial aircraft operations. This airfield will prove crucial as the archipelago has only one airport at Agatti. The new airfield will not only improve connectivity and boost tourism. However, it will also enhance military surveillance capabilities in the Arabian Sea, similar to the naval air station at Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which overlooks the crucial Malacca Strait and dominates the Six-Degree Channel.
Implications of the INS Jatayu on Regional Security
The commissioning of the INS Jatayu naval base will significantly strengthen India’s foothold in the strategically located Lakshadweep islands. The base will enhance India’s ability to respond effectively to regional security challenges by extending operational surveillance, reach, and sustenance. The Navy’s presence on the islands will act as a deterrent against piracy, narcotics smuggling, and other illegal activities in the western Arabian Sea.
Moreover, the commissioning of INS Jatayu signifies India’s commitment to the comprehensive development of the island territories in terms of security infrastructure and other aspects of socio-economic progress.
The dual-use airfield at Minicoy will boost tourism, improve air connectivity, and have significant military implications. The airport will enhance the Navy’s surveillance capabilities, effectively monitoring the region’s vital sea lines of communication (SLOCs). This development highlights the importance of the Lakshadweep archipelago and its position along crucial maritime trade routes. By establishing a second naval base in the region, India aims to ensure the security of these trade routes and protect its national interests in the Arabian Sea.