INS Jatayu
The Indian Navy has inaugurated INS Jatayu on Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, marking a strategic expansion of India’s maritime security capabilities near the Maldives. This base, commissioned to counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean, signifies India’s efforts to secure maritime routes, fight piracy, and enhance regional security. INS Jatayu, drawing its name from a noble bird in the epic Ramayana, is part of a series of naval air stations named after birds, signifying the base’s future role as a Naval Air Station with limited space due to the island’s geography. It will host MH-60R helicopters, enhancing anti-submarine and maritime surveillance capabilities, with plans to expand for all classes of fighter jets and aircraft. This move boosts the operational reach of the Indian Navy, particularly in anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations, and solidifies India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
