HomeIndia to build new airstrip in Lakshadweep to keep China at bay in IORIndia to build a New Airstrip at Lakshadweep's Minicoy Island that will...

India to build a New Airstrip at Lakshadweep’s Minicoy Island that will keep China at bay in Indian Ocean

Source : News18

India to build a New Airstrip at Lakshadweep's Minicoy Island that will keep China at bay in Indian Ocean
The project, which involves suggestions from the civil aviation and home ministries, Navy, Air Force and coast guards, is likely to be completed in the next five years. (Photo: GOI)


The government is planning a 2,500-metre-long airstrip at the Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, which will allow larger IAF and commercial aircraft to take off. The project holds strategic importance as it will keep an eye on India’s international borders, strengthen area domination and tourism.

Minicoy is the closest island to Kochi, which is also one of the biggest bases for the Navy, and is located at a strategic location. Therefore, the airstrip will help India check the water area, which is being used by China as well as Pakistan.

Senior officials aware of the development told News18 that the project has got an in-principle approval and the budget will be finalised soon.

The project, which involves suggestions from the civil aviation and home ministries, Navy, Air Force and coast guards, is likely to be completed in the next five years.

The Lakshadweep airport would be similar to Srinagar’s, which has limited movement of commercial aircraft and is owned by the Indian Air Force.

The coast guard will have a separate hanger, which will be useful for and increase patrolling in the area. Forces can use choppers to intercept suspicious movement in the area. A consultant has also been hired to understand the feasibility of the project.

Sources confirmed that earlier the idea was to have a small air strip, which was turned down as stakeholders wanted it to be operable for all types of aircrafts.

Sources also said that the project was under discussion for the past many years but was expedited by the current Lakshadweep Administrator, Praful Khoda Patel.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR INDIA’S DEFENCE?

Explaining the benefits of having an airport in Minicoy, an official associated with the project told News18, “This route has Nine and Eight Degree Channels, which are the lifelines of shipping between various global locations including Europe. Having an airport at Minicoy island would give an edge to the coast guard, Air Force and other forces to monitor and keep a check on the movement. It is also closest to the Maldives, which is the part of String of Pearls. But this airstrip will dent China’s dream of domination on sea routes with the help of Pakistan, which is continuously involved in the illegal trade of drugs, arms, etc.”

‘String of Pearls’, in geostrategic parlance, refers to the Strait of Malacca, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, the Strait of Hormuz and Somalia. It also includes Bangladesh and Myanmar in Chinese strategy.

According to a report, China is working on a strategy to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean to extract maximum benefit from it and contain Indian hold in the region. China was expected to raise civilian and military infrastructure at chosen points on the islands or ports.

On the other side, the Nine Degree Channel is of 200 degrees separating Kalpeni and Suheli from Minicoy, the passage nearly sees all merchant shipping between Europe, the Middle-East and Western Asia with South-East Asia and the Far-East.

BOOST TOURISM

The new airport will see hassle-free travel by tourists, who, at present, face expensive flight tickets and accommodation to visit the island. The airport will see more flight movement in the area.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat

All

Small cap Aerospace & Defence Enters Into Agreements With DRDO

Small cap Aerospace & Defence company Apollo Micro Systems Limited on Sept 23, 2023, informed that it has signed multiple agreements with the Defence...

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) hands over upgraded Cadillac Gage V-150 and V-300 Armored Vehicles to Vietnam

Source : Frontier IndiaLarsen and Toubro (L&T) hands over upgraded Cadillac Gage V-150 and V-300 Armored Vehicles to VietnamThe Philippine Ministry of Defence is...

AMCA 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Updates

Most Popular

Recent Comments

Archive Months

Miscellanous

MEA India slams OIC for commenting on Ram Navami violence, calls it ‘Anti India Agenda’

Source : The HinduMEA India slams OIC for commenting on Ram Navami violence, calls it 'Anti India Agenda'The Ministry of External Affairs on April...

Why DRDO can’t replicate ISRO’s grand success story

The DRDO’s functioning depends on a robust system of long-term planning for capability developmentby Lt Gen Anil Ahuja (Retd)LATE last month, while the...

HISTORIC: India And Philippines finally signs $374 million mega BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal today

Source : The New Indian ExpressHISTORIC: India And Philippines finally signs $374 million mega BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal today NEW DELHI: In a first, the Indian...

Indian Navy to select the best carrier borne fighter that suites its requirement, to break the tradition of following IAF’s path

Source : IgMp BureauRepresentative ImageThe Rafale Marine and F/A-18 have recently concluded capability demonstration in Goa and new reports indicate that the Indian Navy...

india: Repayment worries: Lenders’ debt recast plan for MEP Infra hinges on a green light at the toll booth

Mumbai: A restructuring plan by lenders to the debt-laden toll collector MEP Infrastructure (MIPL) has been delayed for over six months as the...

Army, Navy and IAF finally ‘99%’ in agreement over structure of proposed theatre commands

Source : The PrintArmy, Navy and IAF finally ‘99%’ in agreement over structure of proposed theatre commandsNew Delhi: After months of dithering, multiple plans and...

MDL and WDB starts designing 12 Project-76 indigenous diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)MDL and WDB starts designing 12 Project-76 indigenous diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy The Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and...

ISIS inspired strikes in Udaipur, NIA to take over the case

Source : News18While Riyaz allegedly attacked the tailor with a sharp-edged weapon, his aide recorded the crime on his cellphone, police said. (Pic: News18)Riyaz...

PM Modi congratulates Rishi Sunak on becoming UK Prime Minister

Source : Asian News International (ANI)PM Modi congratulates Rishi Sunak on becoming UK Prime MinisterNew Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rishi Sunak, who...

PM Modi lays foundation of C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara

Source : Asian News International (ANI)Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing plant in Vadodara on October...

India developing Vehicle Mounted Counter Swarm Drone System (VMCSDS) named ‘Bhargavastra’ for the Indian Army

Source : IgMp BureauRepresentative Image (This image does not represent the original system)Indian Army is one of the first in the world to induct...

EAM Jaishankar, Spanish counterpart discuss growing defence, economic ties

Source : Asian News International (ANI)External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in New Delhi on WednesdayNew...
Visits

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker

Refresh Page
error: Content is protected !!
%d bloggers like this: