The main purpose of commissioning this
new base is ‘for better coverage of the Indian Ocean.”
Per government
sources, the INS Jatayu would be set up on Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep,
enabling the Indian Navy to keep a close eye on the activities of its
adversaries in the region, especially China.
Initially, the base will have a few
officers and men and gradually expand into a more extensive naval base.
As per the plans, the new base would be
commissioned during the commanders’ conference plan that would take place
onboard the INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya in the coming week. The new base would have a capability in the
Arabian Sea similar to the INS Baaz in the Andaman and Nicobar Island
territories.
The Indian Navy would operate both the
aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, close to Lakshadweep, a
first for the Navy in many years.
This will also be the first time INS Vikrant
will participate in twin carrier operations alongside the INS Vikramaditya. The Navy will also commission MH-60
helicopters in a ceremony in the first week of March.