- March 3, 2024
To boost operations, naval base to be commissioned at Minicoy | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: A small naval base, INS Jatayu, will be commissioned at Minicoy on March 6, as part of govt’s plan to incrementally boost military presence and security infrastructure in the strategically-located Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea.
“With the requisite infrastructure and resources, INS Jatayu will enhance Navy’s overall operational capability and reach in the region.The base will facilitate efforts towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in western Arabian Sea,” an officer said Saturday. “It will also augment Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland,” he added.
The move comes even as plans are also afoot to develop a dual-use airfield at Minicoy, which is the southernmost island of the Lakshadweep archipelago that straddles vital sea lines of communications (SLOCs) in the region. INS Jatayu will be the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.
“With the requisite infrastructure and resources, INS Jatayu will enhance Navy’s overall operational capability and reach in the region.The base will facilitate efforts towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in western Arabian Sea,” an officer said Saturday. “It will also augment Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland,” he added.
The move comes even as plans are also afoot to develop a dual-use airfield at Minicoy, which is the southernmost island of the Lakshadweep archipelago that straddles vital sea lines of communications (SLOCs) in the region. INS Jatayu will be the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.
