In a significant move aimed at bolstering India’s maritime security posture in the strategically vital Lakshadweep Islands, the Indian Navy commissioned a new naval base named ‘INS Jatayu’ at Minicoy on March 6.
This development marks a crucial milestone in enhancing the operational reach and capabilities of the Indian Navy in the region, particularly in the context of anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea.
Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, holds immense strategic importance as it straddles the vital sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean region. The establishment of Naval Detachment INS Jatayu underscores the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding these critical maritime routes and ensuring the security of India’s maritime domain.
Commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar, INS Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.
Commandant Vrat Baghel has been appointed to lead the operations of INS Jatayu. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Admiral Hari Kumar highlighted the significance of the unit’s name, drawing parallels to the mythical character Jatayu from the epic Ramayana.
“In the Ramayana, Jatayu was the ‘first responder’, exemplifying service before self. The naming of this unit as Jatayu is an apt recognition of this spirit of providing security surveillance and selfless service,” remarked Admiral Hari Kumar.
He emphasized the pivotal role of INS Jatayu in providing crucial situational awareness to the Indian Navy, akin to the information relayed by Jatayu to Lord Ram in the epic.
Admiral Hari Kumar underscored the importance of heightened surveillance amidst prevailing geopolitical developments, emphasizing the strategic significance of Lakshadweep to India’s maritime security. He highlighted the Indian Navy’s assertive posture in responding to maritime threats, including terrorism, crime, and piracy in the Arabian Sea.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Lakshadweep Island Administrator Praful Khoda Patel, Southern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, and Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh.
Administrator Patel revealed plans for an airstrip at Minicoy in its final stages of approval and the imminent operationalization of a 24-hour chopper hangar at Kavaratti. He also announced the allocation of land for setting up a radar base for the Indian Air Force in Lakshadweep.
Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep) Captain Lovekesh Thakur emphasized the strategic importance of Minicoy, situated on traditional trade routes, as a gathering point for maritime intelligence. He highlighted the enhanced surveillance capabilities of INS Jatayu, crucial for monitoring shipping movements and ensuring maritime security along vital trade routes.
The commissioning of INS Jatayu signifies a significant stride towards strengthening India’s maritime security architecture, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region.
With INS Jatayu now operational, the Indian Navy is better equipped to address emerging maritime challenges and maintain maritime domain awareness in the region.
