The Indian Navy on March 6 (Wednesday) will commission Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu in a ceremony graced by Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff.
This significant event symbolizes the Navy’s commitment to bolstering security infrastructure at the strategically vital Lakshadweep Islands. Established in the early 1980s under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep), Naval Detachment Minicoy holds strategic importance as the southernmost island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, strategically positioned along crucial Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). The transformation of this detachment into an independent Naval unit, complete with necessary infrastructure and resources, is poised to enhance the overall operational capability of the Indian Navy in the region.
The commissioning of INS Jatayu is expected to significantly bolster the Indian Navy’s operational reach and effectiveness in conducting Anti-Piracy and Anti-Narcotics Operations in the Western Arabian Sea. Moreover, it will strengthen the Navy’s role as the primary responder in the area while enhancing connectivity with the mainland. This move aligns with the Government of India’s broader focus on the comprehensive development of its island territories.
INS Jatayu will be the second Naval base in Lakshadweep, complementing INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. Its commissioning signifies a pivotal moment for the Indian Navy, heralding a new era of capacity building and holistic development of the island territories. Through extended operational surveillance, reach, and sustenance, INS Jatayu will play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests and ensuring regional security in the Lakshadweep region.
