Indian Air Force to deploy fighter jets in Andaman & Nicobar for the first time since Second World War

New Delhi: For the first time since the Second World War, fighter jets will be deployed at the airbases on the Andaman-Nicobar Islands. This decision appears to be due to the changing world scenario and the increasing Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean. This will augment the Indian defence preparedness in the western sector of the Indian Ocean along with the straits of Malacca, Sunda and Lombok.

The Indian Air Force base at ‘Car Nicobar’ and the base near the ‘Campbell’ Bay have been selected for deployment of the fighter jets. So far, Mi17V5 combat helicopters and Dornier surveillance aircrafts had been stationed here. The other advanced aircrafts could not be deployed there due to short airstrips at this base. But the work to expand these airstrips is now underway.

The Indian navy has already deployed its warships in this region and there are about 19 warships stationed there. Through these warships, India keeps a stern watch on the Malacca, Sunda and Lombok straits. These narrow straits connect the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Chinese warships and submarines take this route to enter the Indian Ocean.

The Chinese navy is carrying out its activities under the disguise of goodwill visits to allies and for the prevention of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and these activities have increased to a great extent. Realizing the devious Chinese ploy to establish its domination and to challenge the natural Indian influence in the Indian Ocean, the Indian navy has also increased its presence and movements in this region and has initiated cooperation with countries in the Chinese dominated area.

Only last month, the Indian navy had sent a message on the social media which said, ‘Happy Hunting’ to the three Chinese warships spotted in the Indian Ocean. This was done in order to give a clear warning to China that India was watching the region closely.

#MaritimeDomainAwareness @indiannavy extends a warm welcome to the 29th Anti-Piracy Escort Force (APEF) of PLA(N) in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Happy Hunting @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @IAF_MCC @adgpi @IndiaCoastGuard @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/7NTW4TwQuW

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 17, 2018

This was immediately followed up with another tweet saying that there were 50 Indian navy warships deployed in the region from the Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait and the Bay of Bengal in the north to the east coast of Africa in the south.

#MissionBasedDeployments From Persian Gulf to Malacca Straits & from Northern Bay of Bengal to Southern Indian Ocean to East coast of Africa @indiannavy with 50 ships on vigil 24X7 keep our Area of Responsibility (AOR) safe. @indiannavy Anytime, Anywhere Everytime @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/rxmBAed5Sa

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 17, 2018

It is clear that the Indian Airforce, Navy and also the Military is seriously watching the Chinese activities against India.

In the last few months, the chiefs of all the three armed forces had made suggestive statements to make China aware of the Indian strength. This aggressive stance of the Indian armed forces is not a mere coincidence, but this stance seems to have been taken for delivering a clear message to China about the Indian strength and confidence to retaliate against China.