India to Build New Military Airport in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Expanding military infrastructure will strengthen India’s ability to monitor Chinese naval activity and protect undersea communication cables.
India has announced plans to build a new military airport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a cost of 150 billion rupees ($1.6 billion). At the same time, it will extend the runways of two existing military airstrips. This move is aimed at responding to China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
New Airport on Great Nicobar Island
The new airport will be built on Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost part of the island chain. It is located about 40 nautical miles from the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. The airport will serve both military and tourism purposes.
However, the project is in an environmentally sensitive area, which makes careful planning important.
The federal cabinet has approved the project. Devendra Kumar Joshi, the top administrator of the islands, said in New Delhi that the defense ministry will oversee the development. “We expect the first flights to start operating in around three years’ time,” he said.
Speaking at the United Services Institution of India, a defense ministry backed think tank, Joshi explained that the new airport will have two runways. It will be able to handle large aircraft, including civilian planes.
Strategic Importance of the Malacca Strait
About one-third of global trade passes through the Malacca Strait. It also carries most of China’s energy imports. Because of this, the strait has become a key strategic location as China increases its influence in the Indo Pacific region.
This gives India a strong reason to closely monitor shipping routes between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Strengthening military facilities in the islands will improve India’s ability to track Chinese naval movements and secure undersea communication lines.
For countries such as the United States, Japan, and Australia, this development highlights India’s growing role in maintaining regional security.
Upgrades to Existing Airfields
India will also upgrade other military facilities in the region. A military base on the northernmost island will be refurbished, and its runway will be extended to handle larger aircraft.
Two more airfields in the island chain will also be improved. This includes the airfield in the capital, Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair, according to Joshi.
Support for Maritime Surveillance Aircraft
India already operates several US made long range maritime surveillance aircraft. It has also approved the purchase of six more planes, according to Bloomberg News.
These aircraft will operate from the upgraded and newly built airbases, further strengthening India’s surveillance and defense capabilities in the region.
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