Air Marshal MS Sridhar, AVSM, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Medical), conducted a significant visit to the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) on April 9, 2025, focusing on the enhancement of medical infrastructure in this strategically vital region. During his tour, Air Marshal Sridhar inspected key facilities, including the Air Force Station (AFS) Car Nicobar, INS Baaz, and the Integrated Medical Station (IMS) at Campbell Bay, commending the units for their exemplary maintenance and operational readiness.
At INS Baaz, located near Campbell Bay on Great Nicobar Island, Air Marshal Sridhar reviewed the medical facilities supporting the southernmost air station of the Indian Armed Forces. INS Baaz, commissioned in 2012, plays a pivotal role in monitoring the Strait of Malacca—a critical global shipping lane that facilitates 40% of the world’s freight trade—and the Six Degree Channel, enhancing India’s strategic reach in the eastern Indian Ocean. The base, positioned 300 nautical miles south of Port Blair, supports various aircraft for surveillance, patrolling, and maritime operations, with its runway currently at 3,500 feet and plans for future expansion to accommodate heavier aircraft like the Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules.
A notable moment during the visit was captured at the IMS Campbell Bay, where personnel in camouflage uniforms were seen analyzing medical imaging, likely an X-ray, on a computer system. This underscores the ANC’s commitment to ensuring advanced medical support for its personnel stationed in remote outposts, a crucial aspect of maintaining operational readiness in such isolated yet strategically significant locations.
Air Marshal Sridhar also visited AFS Car Nicobar, where he assessed the medical infrastructure supporting the base’s operations. His tour highlighted the importance of tri-service medical coordination, a focus area for the Integrated Defence Staff, especially in a joint-services command like the ANC, which oversees India’s only operational theatre command.
Air Marshal Sridhar’s visit follows his earlier engagement with the Eastern Naval Command in February 2025, where he discussed strategic medical facilities with Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar. His consistent focus on medical readiness across commands highlights the Indian Armed Forces’ priority to ensure the health and deployability of personnel in critical regions like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which serve as a gateway to the Indo-Pacific.
The ANC continues to strengthen its role in India’s defense framework, with INS Baaz and the IMS Campbell Bay standing as testaments to the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders while ensuring the well-being of its forces in one of the most remote yet geopolitically significant corners of the country.
