NEW DELHI: Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh on Friday visited the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to review the operational readiness in the strategically-located archipelago, amidst the ongoing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh.
Admiral Singh especially toured naval air station INS Baaz, the southernmost airbase of the Indian armed forces that overlooks the crucial Malacca Strait while dominating the Six-Degree Channel.
“The Navy chief, who was received by the tri-Service Andaman Nicobar Command (ANC) chief Lt-General Manoj Pande, was briefed on the operational preparedness and infrastructure development aspects in the archipelago, which included readiness in the prevalent security scenario,” said an officer.
INS Baaz, located at Campbell Bay in the Great Nicobar Island, was commissioned in 2012 as part of the overall policy to counter China's strategic moves in the Indian Ocean region as well as ensure security of shipping lanes.
The airbase supports operations of a multitude of military aircraft, which enable surveillance over the southern Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea, Malacca Straits and the southern Indian Ocean. It also serves as a supporting base for operational turn-around facilities of ships deployed in the Nicobar Group of Islands.
During his interaction with military personnel, Admiral Singh acknowledged their contribution in keeping the important INS Baaz operational at all times. India now finally plans to crank up “force accretion” and “military infrastructure development” in the ANC, which was established as India’s first theatre command in October 2001, as was earlier reported by TOI.