• UGI USER
  • Mar 12, 2024
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STRATEGIC MESSAGE IN BUILDING INS JATAYU

Syllabus:

 GS 3:

  • Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

Focus:

  • The commissioning of INS Jatayu, an upgraded naval base in the Lakshadweep Islands, marks a significant development in India’s maritime security strategy.
Source:- The Quint

Strategic Importance of INS Jatayu

  • Milestone Commissioning: India commissions INS Jatayu at Minicoy, Lakshadweep, bolstering its naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean.
  • Enhanced Security: Upgrading Minicoy into a naval base aims to combat piracy, Houthi attacks, and other maritime threats, reinforcing India’s role as a security provider.
  • Surveillance Outpost: The base will serve as a vital surveillance point to monitor illicit activities, marine pollution, and illegal fishing, ensuring maritime security.

About

  • INS Jatayu, formerly known as Naval Detachment Minicoy, is now a commissioned upgraded naval base situated on Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
  • It will operate under the operational control of the Naval Officer in Charge (Lakshadweep), Southern Naval Command.
  • The base significantly enhances the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean, particularly in areas such as anti-piracy, anti-narcotics, and surveillance operations.
  • Strategically located in Minicoy, the southernmost atoll of the Lakshadweep archipelago, INS Jatayu overlooks vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), thereby strengthening India’s maritime presence in the region.
  • Given China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, INS Jatayu plays a crucial role in reinforcing India’s capacity to counterbalance and deter any threats to its maritime dominance and territorial integrity.
  • INS Jatayu is the country’s second naval base in Lakshadweep, with the first base, INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, commissioned in 2012.
  • The base is equipped with additional infrastructure including an airfield and personnel housing to support naval operations and ensure comprehensive security coverage.
  • Minicoy Island, home to INS Jatayu, lies at the intersection of important Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) such as the Eight Degree Channel and the Nine Degree Channel, making it susceptible to maritime pollution due to heavy maritime traffic.
  • The Eight Degree Channel separates Indian Minicoy island from Maldives, while the Nine Degree Channel separates the island of Minicoy from the Lakshadweep archipelago.
INAS 334

·  INAS 334 is the first squadron of MH-60R helicopters, also known as “Seahawks”, commissioned at INS Garuda, Kochi.

·  The squadron is part of a 24-aircraft Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract signed with the United States government in February 2020.

·  MH-60R Seahawk, a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter, is designed for multiple roles including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and vertical replenishment.

·  Deployment of Seahawks in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) bolsters the Indian Navy’s maritime presence, deterring potential threats and ensuring security in this strategically crucial area.

The BrahMos missiles at INS Jatayu symbolize a strategic enhancement of India’s maritime defense, leveraging their supersonic speed, precision, and versatility. Here’s a crisp overview.

  • Strategic Deployment: Positions India advantageously in maritime security and dominance in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • Advanced Capabilities: Supersonic speeds and precision striking augment INS Jatayu’s offensive and defensive potential.
  • Deterrence: Acts as a potent deterrent against potential adversaries, reinforcing regional stability.
  • Interoperability: Demonstrates seamless cooperation between different branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
  • Maritime Security: Strengthens protection of maritime borders and vital sea lanes, enhancing anti-piracy operations.
  • Technology Showcase: Highlights Indo-Russian defense cooperation, showcasing cutting-edge military technology.
  • Geopolitical Significance: Bolsters India’s defense infrastructure and regional security stance, enhancing its geopolitical leverage.
Minicoy Island

Source:- Researchgate

·    Minicoy Island, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, strategically sits across vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs).

·    Naval Detachment Minicoy was established in the early 1980s, operating under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep).

·    The significance of the naval detachment lies in its capacity to enhance the overall operational capability of the Indian Navy in the islands.

·    Establishing an independent Naval unit with necessary infrastructure and resources will extend the operational reach of the Indian Navy.

·       The base will facilitate the Indian Navy’s efforts in Anti-Piracy and Anti-Narcotics Operations in the Western Arabian Sea, as well as strengthen its role as the primary responder in the region.

·    Additionally, it will enhance connectivity with the mainland, further augmenting the Indian Navy’s capabilities.

Source:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/strategic-message-in-building-ins-jatayu-101710165067507.html#:~:text=Jatayu%2C%20however%2C%20is%20more%20than,for%20logistics%20and%20support%20operations.

Mains Practice Question:

“Discuss the strategic significance of Minicoy Island in the context of India’s maritime security and naval operations. How does the establishment of Naval Detachment Minicoy contribute to India’s maritime capabilities and its role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean region?”