Indian Navy to Commission INS Jatayu on March 6, Strengthen Foothold in Lakshadweep
Defense News ,India :- The Indian Navy is getting ready to officially open a naval base in Minicoy, calling it INS Jatayu. Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, will be present for the commissioning on March 6. This event is a big step forward in the Navy's plan to boost security in the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands.
The Minicoy Naval Detachment started in the early 1980s and operates under the command of a Naval Officer-in-Charge. Minicoy is the southernmost island in Lakshadweep, sitting on crucial Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). Creating an independent naval unit there with the right infrastructure will improve the overall ability of the Indian Navy in the islands.
This new base will extend the Navy's reach and help with operations against piracy and narcotics in the Western Arabian Sea. It also makes the Indian Navy better equipped to respond quickly in the region and improves connections with the mainland. This naval base aligns with the Indian government's focus on developing the islands comprehensively.
INS Jatayu becomes the second naval base in Lakshadweep, joining INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. By establishing INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy is strengthening its presence in the Lakshadweep islands. This move enhances surveillance, reach, and support, marking a new era in building capacity and developing the island territories.
Additionally, the Indian Navy plans to conduct its commanders' conference on board two aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. This includes high-tempo operations like taking off from one carrier and landing on the other, involving other warships and submarines. The Navy will also formally introduce the MH-60 Romeo multirole helicopter at Kochi in the upcoming week. Furthermore, the Navy aims to showcase, for the first time, the simultaneous operations of two aircraft carriers near Lakshadweep, marking a significant milestone after the induction of INS Vikrant.
