Backed by BrahMos, Navy base on Minicoy Island to act as ‘gatekeeper’ in Arabian Sea
Radars, jetties, airfield and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles — the Indian Navy’s newest base being established on Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, INS Jatayu, will have all these and many more.
The upgrade is part of a longterm capability development plan which officials and experts say will shore up India’s security footprint on the islands located very close to critical Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC).
This is especially significant as Chinese naval footprint, which includes ‘research vessels’, has seen massive expansion in the Indian Ocean. Minicoy is also just a few hundred miles from the Maldives.
In addition to INS Jatayu, new infrastructure and facilities were inaugurated at Karwar naval base in Karnataka by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. These include two major piers and seven residential towers comprising 320 houses for officers and civilian defence personnel as well as 149 single officers’ accommodation.
“New radar facilities at Minicoy will augment surveillance and coastal batteries of extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with a range of around 450 km will give huge flexibility in responding to threats,” officials in the know said.
“As we commission [INS] Jatayu, it is crucial to recognise the pressing need for heightened surveillance amidst the prevailing geopolitical developments,” Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar said. “INS Baaz to the east in Andamans and now, INS Jatayu in the west at Minicoy, will serve as the eyes and ears of the Navy,” he stated.
“Jatayu will be the ‘watchkeeper’ for Bharat at the gateway of Arabian Sea,” said ViceAdmiral Shekhar Sinha, former Western Naval Commander, noting its proximity to the busy Nine Degree
Channel, the approximately 200km wide area between Minicoy and Kalpeni/ Suheli Par islands of Lakshadweep. Situated at the tip of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), it also serves as a deterrent against any future adversarial presence, making Jatayu a “formidable static aircraft carrier”.
“Unfolding geopolitical canvas in the Indian Ocean calls for fortification of Minicoy Island, a valuable asset. Apart from becoming a tourist paradise, Minicoy has potential of becoming a formidable gatekeeper of Arabian Sea,” he told The Hindu.
There is already an ongoing effort for infrastructure augmentation by the Central government in coordination with Island Development Authority and NITI Aayog.
For instance, the NITI Aayog has joined hands with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India for expansion of Agatti Island airfield while Larsen & Toubro has been given a ₹4,500crore contract to expand the runway to 2,800 meters. For Minicoy, there is plan for the development of dualuse airfield which will have a longer runway making it capable of handling the Navy’s P8I longrange maritime patrol aircraft.
Karwar naval base
The Phase I construction of Karwar base under Project Seabird, which was completed in 2011, was designed to accommodate 10 ships. The Cabinet Committee on Security has since granted approval for Phase IIA of Project Seabird which will see the base expanded for berthing of 32 ships and submarines, along with 23 yardcraft and include piers, providing a berthing space of more than 6 km.
“The centrepiece of Phase IIA works is an iconic Covered Dry Berth, standing at a height of 75 metres, taller than the Qutub Minar in Delhi,” according to the Navy.