Importance Of India’s Only Andaman and Nicobar Tri-Service Command
The Andaman and Nicobar island located in the Indian Ocean which was established in 2001. The only command which is being operated by the three wings of the Indian armed forces. The island is also known as The Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier of the Indian Navy. It provides strategic importance to the navy at the strait of Malacca.
Can Be Used For Logistic Support
Indian navy is conducting so many operations in the Indian Ocean and far away. This increases the importance of the Andaman and Nicobar which can be used for logistic support. Many times India is conducting the maritime exercise in the region with its allies such as Japan, Australia, America (QUAD group) to counter Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean.
Threat from China
China has established its first military base in Djibouti. This increases the presence of its navy in the Indian Ocean. This puts a direct threat on the Indian Subcontinent. To curb the influence naval operations can be performed with the help of these islands. And in serious situations, the naval blockade can be imposed on the strait of Malacca.
Assets Deployed in the Island
The Indian Ocean is very wide due to this every time surveillance is required. To perform maritime surveillance many aircraft and ships have been deployed. Boeing P-8i Neptune, Dornier Do-228, C-130J Hercules, Hal LUH, and Mil Mi-17 are some aircraft deployed. With this many frigates such as Shivalik class INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri and patrol vessels such as INS Batti Malv.
Exercises
The Andaman and Nicobar command performs many maritime exercises with regional navy. There are many exercises such as CORPAT with Indonesia and Singapore, SIMBEX maritime exercise with Singapore, and the DANX Defence of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Exercise. The purpose of DANX was to safeguard the island from any situation.
Modernization and Expansion
Many measures are taken to utilize the islands with full potential. This includes increasing the airstrip size this will make heavy aircraft to land without any wear and tear. Many high-frequency radars are been installed to track each and every ship in the Indian Ocean. Recently underwater fiber optic cable has been laid from mainland India and port Blair. This project is for a public purpose which further strengthens the connectivity.
