Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited Air Force Station Car Nicobar on January 2 as part of his two-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), underscoring India’s growing focus on strategic readiness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The CDS was received by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command. During the visit, General Chauhan inaugurated upgraded runway infrastructure and an additional aviation fuel storage facility at Car Nicobar.
Major Boost to Air Operations in the IOR
The newly inaugurated infrastructure is set to significantly enhance fighter aircraft operations, air sustainment capability, and operational endurance, thereby strengthening India’s strategic reach and rapid response capability across the Indian Ocean Region.
Defence officials stated that the enhanced runway and fuel facilities will allow sustained deployment of frontline fighter aircraft and transport platforms, improving operational flexibility and mission readiness in a region of critical maritime importance.
Interaction with Personnel
General Chauhan also interacted with service personnel stationed at Air Force Station Car Nicobar, commending them for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment while serving in a remote and challenging operational environment. He acknowledged their vital role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests and ensuring round-the-clock vigilance in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Strategic Significance
The visit and inauguration highlight India’s continued investment in infrastructure development, jointness, and force projection under the tri-services Andaman and Nicobar Command. The upgrades reinforce ANC’s role as a forward-operating strategic hub and a cornerstone of India’s security architecture in the Indo-Pacific.
The CDS’s visit reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ resolve to maintain high operational readiness, integrated theatre capability, and strategic deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region.
