China Expands Airbase On Coco Island

[Galaxy]

China Expands Airbase On Coco Island

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

That arrestingly beautiful piece of land is Greater Coco Island in the Bay of Bengal, a part of India's Andaman & Nicobar Islands union territory. It is one of only a tiny constellation of islands that belongs to Myanmar. Greater Coco has for long been known to be managed by Chinese, with reports over two decades of signal intelligence facilities, maritime bases, a radar facilities (which is, apparently, all but confirmed) and as a general surveillance hub to keep tabs on Indian military activity (which only really began in a big way in 2001 with the setting up of the Andaman & Nicobar Command at Port Blair).

While I was on assignment on the Andaman Islands earlier this month, there was plenty of talk about how the Chinese were expanding Greater Coco island's airstrip into a modern air base. The Google Earth grab above gives you a splendid view of the runway that the Chinese appear to have built (my sources say the base is close to completion).

Indian threat perceptions aside, this airfield has got to afford one of the most scenic landings of any airport I can think of. What a beauty.

Livefist: China Expands Airbase On Coco Island

 

[Galaxy]

 

[The Messiah]

We should build some bases in south china sea in islands under vietnam.

 

[utubekhiladi]

dude, that is pretty close.

why the hell Myanmar is working against us?

 

[Bangalorean]

Last I heard, Myanmarese military staff took Indian officials on a tour of the islands to convince them that there was no Chinese activity there. This happened around 2 years back (I think). If there is an airbase there now, it has to have come up pretty recently.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Looks like Myanmar is still playing double game . Coco Island is too close to our comfort. I seriously think India should fortify Andaman and then look for an Island near Vietnam.Maybe in 3-4 years from now we need to go to china instead of letting them come to our shores.

 

[The Messiah]

I would make them squeal like pigs if i had power. an eye for an eye is only language chinis understand.

 

[agentperry]

myanmar is forced to work against us by chinese and the 19+tribes are encited to stand up against myanmar govt( just like ulfa) by chinese. game they play

 

[trackwhack]

Wont it be part of Navy's strategies to take this base out as soon as hostilities begin if it does?

 

[Param]

I would make them squeal like pigs if i had power. an eye for an eye is only language chinis understand.

We won't be able to do much after Myanmar goes nuclear.

 

[utubekhiladi]

Looks like Myanmar is still playing double game . Coco Island is too close to our comfort. I seriously think India should fortify Andaman and then look for an Island near Vietnam.Maybe in 3-4 years from now we need to go to china instead of letting them come to our shores.

.

what is in it for Myanmar by supporting Chinese against us?

 

[utubekhiladi]

We won't be able to do much after Myanmar goes nuclear.

go nuclear? what are u talking about?

 

[utubekhiladi]

is our stupid army and navy aware about these development?

 

[agentperry]

go nuclear? what are u talking about?

there were us report that myanmar is working on nukes

 

[Param]

go nuclear? what are u talking about?

Wasn't there reports about Nuke co-operation between Myanmar and NK? The underground nuke facility?

 

[Galaxy]

I am not sure but i heard Coco Island was part of India and Nehru gave these island to Myanmar as Gift in 50's

 

[utubekhiladi]

there were us report that myanmar is working on nukes

against who?

 

[utubekhiladi]

I am not sure but i heard Coco Island was part of India and Nehru gave these island to Myanmar as Gift in 50's

omg, nehru was such a girl. we are still facing his mistakes.

 

[Zebra]

We should talk with Myanmar , some kind of trade and get the Coco islands back .

 

[utubekhiladi]

this means only one thing, they are targeting our islands....