The Indian Navy commissioned a new air base in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar islands as part of efforts to expand its operational presence in the Indian Ocean where China has been increasing its military presence. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba inaugurated the new base - INS Kohassa - on January 24 in the presence of top naval commanders.

INS Kohassa is the third naval air base in the Andaman and Nicobar islands after INS Utkrosh in Port Blair and INS Baaz in Campbell Bay.

Admiral Lanba highlighted the importance of the newly raised unit as it enhances the operational capabilities of the Navy in the region. He also pointed out that the naval air station has been developed as a dual-use military and civil airfield. He said it will help in providing impetus to the Centre’s UDAN scheme and will complement the Navy’s role as a net security provider in the strategic Indian Ocean region.

The Indian Navy has been bolstering its presence in the Indian Ocean in view of China regularly sending warships and submarines to the region. A year ago, the Navy had implemented a new plan for the deployment of warships in the Indian Ocean region to effectively counter China’s growing presence in the strategically key waters. The “new mission-based deployment” plan involves deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications.

“The close proximity of Coco Islands (Myanmar) and wide expanse of Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) makes the base a very vital asset,” said Indian Navy spokesperson Capt D.K. Sharma.

The new facility will have a 1,000-metre runway for helicopters and Dornier surveillance aircraft. But eventually the plan is for the runway to be extended to 3,000 metres to support fighter aircraft and longer-range reconnaissance aircraft, Sharma said.

INS Kohassa is an upgraded version of the naval air station (NAS) at Shibpur. INS Kohassa has been named after a white-bellied sea eagle, which is a large bird of prey, endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. NAS Shibpur was established in 2001 as a forward operating air base for enhanced surveillance in North Andaman. The air station presently operates short-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters. These aircraft undertake EEZ surveillance, anti-poaching missions, search and rescue and humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions. During the search operations of the Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, Dornier DO 228s of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard operated from this very base.