KOLKATA: The Andamans and Nicobar Command (ANC) should be in control of a complete naval fleet to effectively counter any threat from China, vice admiral P K Chatterjee, commander-in-chief, Andaman and Nicobar (CINCAN), said in Kolkata on Monday. He was in the city as chief guest during the launching ceremony of a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). The LCU is the second in a fleet of eight such vessels being built by GRSE for ANC.
"The ANC was created in 2001. Certain thoughts went into creating this tri-services command and these are enshrined in the policy documents. Apart from the ships that we now possess, we require Command and Control Ships and submarines. In fact, we require an entire fleet. I know that this isn't an easy task. It is important to create infrastructure to support assets. At the same time we must ensure that infrastructure doesn't lie idle. Sufficient infrastructure is required for our existing assets as well as those we host from other commands," Vice Admiral Chatterjee said.
He pointed to the fact that over the last two years, the footprints of 'India's northern adversary' has extended into the Andamans Sea. This has been through the Malacca Strait. The situation will get critical once a canal is built through the Isthmus of Kra.
"There are far too many interested parties and the canal through the Isthmus of Kra will certainly become a reality. Once this happens, the distance from the South China Sea to our territory will be reduced by nearly 1,300 km. The distance of the Andamans and Nicobar Island from the mainland will remain the same though. In this way, our reaction time will be comparatively reduced. I am sure that the Government of India is aware of this issue and taking necessary action. I feel things will happen," the CINCAN said.
The Isthmus of Kra is the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula. It is only 44 km wide and a canal through it in southern Thailand will allow ships to bypass the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest shipping channels in the world. While this canal holds a lot of promise for shipping and trade, it is fraught with danger for countries like India that would hardly get any time for preparations in case of aggressive intentions on the part of China. According to Vice Admiral Chatterjee, creating better infrastructure in the ANC wouldn't add to defence spending.
"Just as there are 'fronts' along land borders, everybody - including the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — should consider the ANC a maritime front which needs to remain at a constant state of alert. Defence spending won't increase due to the ANC. It will all depend on how equipment is placed. Existing assets only need to be relocated. If submarines are deployed in the ANC, infrastructure will have to be created. This will take time due to several issues like land acquisition. I would say that we are stronger in the Andamans than we were five years ago. But, we shouldn't rest on our laurels," the CINCAN, who is also the country's senior-most submariner said.
Andaman and Nicobar Command should get a fleet: CINCAN - The Times of India
