DefenceIndian Navy

Indian Navy Commissions Strategically Important ‘INS Jatayu’ Base In Lakshadweep Islands

Story Highlights
  • According to Captain Lovekesh Thakur, Minicoy Island is on a major trade route, and the government needs a base with better surveillance tools very badly.
  • "Because of the strategic location, specifically Minicoy, it is a place for gathering information on the shipping movement."

The Indian Navy opened its new base, “INS Jatayu,” at Minicoy in the Lakshadweep islands on Wednesday. This gives the navy more operating power and reach in the Indian Ocean.

The second navy base in Lakshadweep is INS Jatayu, which is in Kavaratti. The first is INS Dweeprakshak. The island of Minicoy is the most southern in Lakshadweep. It is 215 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.

Naval Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar opened the new base at a ceremony in Minicoy. Administrator of Lakshadweep Praful Patel, Chief Vice Admiral V Srinivas of the Southern Naval Command, and Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh of the Western Naval Command were also there.

The ship Jatayu has been commissioned and is now under the direction of Commandant Vrat Baghel.

Kumar told a group of people about the event that the unit was named after Jatayu, the magical creature in the epic Ramayana who tried to stop Sita from being taken.

“In the Ramayana, Jatayu was the “first responder.” He put his own life in danger to try to stop Sita ji from being taken. He was a great example of putting others before yourself.” The name Jatayu for this unit is a good way to honor its spirit of providing security monitoring and selfless service.

The navy chief also said that the information that Jatayu sent to Lord Ram was very important for understanding what was going on.

“In the same way, we expect this unit to help the Indian Navy keep good maritime domain awareness of the whole region by giving them situational awareness.” “The INS Baaz in the Andamans will watch over the Navy to protect our national interest, and now the INS Jatayu will do the same in the west,” he said.

Kumar also said that it was important to understand the need for tighter monitoring in light of current geopolitical events.

“There are more acts of terrorism, crime, and piracy at sea in the Indian Ocean region.” In response, the Indian Navy has taken a strong stance in the west and north Arabian Seas, conducting operations against drones, missiles, and pirates to protect trade in the area.

Patel, who was the main speaker, said that the approval process for an airport at Minicoy is also almost done.

He also said that soon there will be a helicopter hangar at Kavaratti that is open 24 hours a day, and that land has been given to the Indian Air Force to build a radar base in Lakshadweep.

Officer in Charge of the Navy (Lakshadweep) According to Captain Lovekesh Thakur, Minicoy Island is on a major trade route, and the government needs a base with better surveillance tools very badly.

“Because of the strategic location, specifically Minicoy, it is a place for gathering information on the shipping movement.”

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