[Kamepherype]

To keep Malacca Straits under watch, Indian navy will open a new airbase, named as Baaz (Hawk), in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said defence sources. The new naval base, which will get an upgraded air base too, will soon be operating heavier military planes from the Indian air fleet including the US-made special forces plane, C130Js, that was inducted last year.

INS Baaz will come up at Campbell Bay, India's southeasternmost fringe in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands chain, which is actually closer to Indonesia than the Indian mainland. Campbell Bay is about 300 nautical miles from Carnic


It straddles a strategically key location in the Indian Ocean/Bay of Bengal overlooking the mouth of Malacca straits, from across Aceh in Indonesia.

Malacca Straits is a key maritime chokepoint that acts as a link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, connecting East Asia, Australia and the US with Asia and Africa, which are the key oil resources of the world.


At least a quarter of the world's trade passes through Malacca Straits and more importantly, at least 80 percent of China's oil requirements pass through this choke point.


India already operates naval bases at Port Blair and Car Nicobar in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands chain. It also has at least three air strips at Diglipur in north Andamans, Port Blair, and at Carnic in Nicobar Islands.

India's navy and air force will be able to launch its operations from that far away deep inside Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.