Policing The Indian Ocean: Indian Navy Expands Infrastructure In Andaman 

The Indian Navy is expanding its infrastructure in Andaman to strengthen its presence around several strategically significant waterways in the Indian Ocean.

The 3,500-foot existing runway at the naval air station INS Baaz at Campbell Bay is being extended, initially to 6,000 feet and to 10,000 feet by 2021. The Navy plans to position at least some of its P8I surveillance planes at the Campbell Bay on the completion of the runway extension work. Currently these aircraft purchased from the US are stationed at INS Rajali at Arakonam in Tamil Nadu.

In another two months, the Navy would shift its second floating dry dock to the islands on the eastern sea board to service a large number of ships operating in that area Capable of docking warships of up to 8,000 tonnes displacement, the floating dock has high capacity ballast pumps along with advanced automated ballast control system. The dock manufactured by Larsen & Toubro will facilitate repair and refit activities even in inclement weather conditions.

The Navy is also constructing three forward operating bases at Kamorta (Nicobar) and Diglipur and Campbell Bay (Andaman) to reduce the turnaround time for the smaller corvettes operating in that region.

India is stepping up the infrastructure in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as it has instituitonalised patrolling of the high seas near Malacca Strait and Six Degrees Channel. Since June, naval ships stationed at Andaman and Nicobar are deployed to keep a watch on the maritime traffic passing through one of the world's busiest sea lanes round the clock.