Andaman & Nicobar Defence Discussion

[Haldiram]

Wah BC wah this is the ultimate ch...yapa we are dealing with 400 birds are more important than the lives of 127 crore people and 2 trillion $ economy ..Because these 400 birds poop will come and save our asses from the PLAN submarines and ships ..I thought NDA was better than UPA end of the day both are two sides of pigs bum when it comes to thinking strategic our brains goes to banana balls ...

The bird is a direct lineage from the prehistoric Dodo bird. The strategic point in declaring the island and its species as endangered is that it allows the gormint to enforce special laws lock it down from the rest of the world and shields it from our secular laws. Hence one can't hunt there, nor can they convert the adivasis. Net net, it's a good move to keep harping on the rare nature of the birds and flowers there. It's not costing us any money. It's not like the gormint is taking care of these birds. It's just saying that they are rare so no visitors allowed. (But our Navy has its telemetry and ELINT stations there, if one reads between the lines). If it becomes a tourist spot then it will become a den of missionaries and tourists and spies and your ELINT stations will be in range of saboteurs posing as tourists.

 

[Syd]

UK company? That is French as French can get.

You need to keep up in this industry (Telecoms). It is very fast moving and easy to lose track of who is who. Alcatel Submarine Networks is a UK company designing and installing submarine cable networks for PTT operators. It was originally part of STL (a British company), then Nortel (Canadian) then Alcatel (French) and is now owned by Nokia of Finland! But it is based in South London and is staffed by Brits.

Alcatel which was French, merged with Lucent (US) to become Alcatel-Lucent and then was taken over by Nokia. So it is as Finnish as you can get!!!

PS. I used to work for Nortel in the UK but the whole industry collapsed at the time of the dot com bust (approx 2001) and most of the N. American and European telecoms suppliers went bust. Only Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens (much reduced in size) survive. The big winner is Huawei of China which was founded by a former general of the PLA!

 

[Armand2REP]

You need to keep up in this industry (Telecoms). It is very fast moving and easy to lose track of who is who. Alcatel Submarine Networks is a UK company designing and installing submarine cable networks for PTT operators. It was originally part of STL (a British company), then Nortel (Canadian) then Alcatel (French) and is now owned by Nokia of Finland! But it is based in South London and is staffed by Brits.

Alcatel which was French, merged with Lucent (US) to become Alcatel-Lucent and then was taken over by Nokia. So it is as Finnish as you can get!!!

PS. I used to work for Nortel in the UK but the whole industry collapsed at the time of the dot com bust (approx 2001) and most of the N. American and European telecoms suppliers went bust. Only Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens (much reduced in size) survive. The big winner is Huawei of China which was founded by a former general of the PLA!

It might be owned by Nokia but it is a French company based in Paris. UK has nothing to do with it.

 

[Syd]

It might be owned by Nokia but it is a French company based in Paris. UK has nothing to do with it.

Look at the address, It is based in Greenwich, London. You are an absolute glutton for trying to push French rubbish at every opportunity. By the way, I am an Indian before you accuse me of being an anti French Brit!

If Alcatel still exists it must be some tiny part of the former company.

 

[Armand2REP]

Look at the address, It is based in Greenwich, London. You are an absolute glutton for trying to push French rubbish at every opportunity. By the way, I am an Indian before you accuse me of being an anti French Brit!

If Alcatel still exists it must be some tiny part of the former company.

From their website...

• Paris-Saclay (Essonne - France):The ASN headquarters which hosts R&D, commercial and technical teams, as well as support functions. In our design laboratories in Paris Saclay, we have more than 25,000 km of optical fiber and associated optical amplifiers. These resources allow our technical teams to create test systems for next-generation networks and to replicate deployed submarine cable systems to validate capacity upgrades.

• Calais, France:This site was created in 1891 and hosts R&D and manufacturing activities, offering the largest manufacturing capability in the industry (45,000 km of cable per year). At this site, ASN also performs cable R&D and the recycling of out of service cables.Greenwich, UK: Amplifiers, repeaters, branching units, ROADM and other submerged equipment are produced at this site where the world’s first transatlantic cable was manufactured in 1858. Today, the site houses modern production and clean room facilities, SLTE and PFE assembly and testing, as well as office space for project management and marine operations teams.

• Greenwich, UK: Amplifiers, repeaters, branching units, ROADM and other submerged equipment are produced at this site where the world’s first transatlantic cable was manufactured in 1858. Today, the site houses modern production and clean room facilities, SLTE and PFE assembly and testing, as well as office space for project management and marine operations teams.

https://web.asn.com/en/about-asn/who-we-are/

 

[Tanmay]

This is Changi Naval Base of Singapore.Serves as a nice compact template to emulate at Port Blair.

It has a Shiplift (similar to Karwar) to repair/maintain ships,
It also has an airbase across the road.

India got access to Changi Naval Base last year,
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...-naval-base/articleshow/61855776.cms?from=mdr

 

[Tanmay]

Seems to have gone unnoticed

12°18'37.83"N 92°47'20.51"E

 

[Tanmay]

Extremely important project from defence perspective. A fibre optic network between mainland India and A&N Islands.

https://www.financialexpress.com/in...ndaman-and-nicobar-island-in-2-years/1221457/



A fibre optic network as well as satellite network for internet.

https://www.themobileindian.com/new...ectivity-in-andaman-nicobar-lakshadweep-25694

https://telecom.economictimes.india...man-nicobar-partners-cable-providers/69261231

Earlier some issues with Chinese firms participating in tender
https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...-eyeing-bsnl-cable-project/article9763354.ece




It seems NEC(Japan) has got the contract.

Progress of optical fibre network upto March 2019
https://www.andamansheekha.com/2019...k-is-progressing-as-per-target-date-cgm-bsnl/

update:

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/sto...ptical-fibre-cable-project-1628482-2019-12-15

The project will provide high-speed connectivity to the rest of the country.

"Optical Fibre Cable connecting Chennai to Port Blair and 7 Islands is as per the schedule and will be completed by June 2020," officials in Andaman administration told India Today TV.

 

[Tanmay]

http://www.uniindia.com/bsnl-organi...cal-fibre-cable-system/east/news/1847593.html
BSNL organises cable-laying of Chennai – Andaman & Nicobar Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Cable System Port Blair, Jan 8 (UNI) BSNL have organised a function for commencement of cable-laying of Chennai – Andaman & Nicobar Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Cable System. This will be inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & IT, and Law & Justice, in the august presence of Admiral D.K. Joshi, (Retd.), the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, & Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency, at 1 pm on Thursday in Chennai. The inaugural function is at Le Meridien Hotel, followed by the flag-off ceremony in the cable-laying ship “KT Responder”, berthed inside Chennai Port jetty. This project of national importance will build the first ever dedicated submarine OF cable link from Chennai to A&N Islands. It will connect Port Blair to Chennai and will have further landings in seven islands: Swaraj Dweep, Long Island, Rangat, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Kamorta and Great Nicobar. The project activity was formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30 last, during his visit to Port Blair. This system will play a pivotal role in driving the “Digital India” vision of the Prime Minister. The total length of submarine cable to be laid exceeds 2250 km and will have an initial bandwidth capacity of 400 Gbps for supporting voice and data connectivity. The CANI- SMC has an eventual capacity of 6.4 terabits per fibre pair. One fibre pair is earmarked for exclusive use by Defence (A&N Command). Once the project is completed, citizens of A&N Islands will experience an overall improvement in ICT services nearly on par with that of mainland. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are the project implementation agency (including operations for 5 years), nominated by DoT/USOF. The turnkey contract has been awarded to M/s NEC Technologies India Ltd. According to CGM, A&N Telecom Circle, the CANI-SMC project is being constructed at a total cost of around Rs 1200 crores, funded by USoF, Govt. of India. The project will play a significant role in bridging the digital divide and for spreading the various e-governance programmes in the Emerald Islands.

 

[Tanmay]

Also the Clam shell design Airport terminal being built at Port Blair.
Older Blue terminal can be seen adjacent.

 

[Tanmay]

While not a defence news directly

Vessel orders to CSL by Andaman & Nicobar Islands

This vessel is part of the order for a series of 4 vessels viz;
Two 500 passengers cum 150T cargo vessels and
Two 1200 passengers cum 1000T cargo vessels,
placed on CSL by the A&N administration



The ship might be useful for HADR. For no reason we send warships to evacuate large number of people. Warships dont have facilities to house large number of people. And the confined spaces arent meant for sick, old, small children or pregnant women.

These ships can be better utilised with Navy providing escort.

 

[Tanmay]

A bridge on Andaman to avoid ferry transport

 

[Tanmay]

Also the Clam shell design Airport terminal being built at Port Blair.
Older Blue terminal can be seen adjacent.

View attachment 42524

April 2020 Update

 

[Tanmay]

The expansion of dock/pier is also complete

Do note the floating Dockyard of Navy with a ship

2016 Image

2020: Pier length increased (circled in red)
Also seen are multiple Mk 4 LCU ships

 

[Tanmay]

The neighboring Coast Guard berth was also increased
2016

2020

 

[Tanmay]

update:

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/sto...ptical-fibre-cable-project-1628482-2019-12-15

https://theprint.in/india/2300-km-u...connectivity-pm-set-to-launch-project/476663/

2,300-km undersea cable to boost Andamans internet connectivity, PM set to launch project
Project was announced by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in January and was supposed to be completed by June. However, it got delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown.
REVATHI KRISHNAN 7 August, 2020 10:51 am IST


New Delhi: The Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Island Submarine Cable System (CANI-SMCP), which will provide the island union territory with improved internet connectivity and communications, will finally be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 August.

The project — led by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunications(DoT) — was announced by Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in January and was slated to be completed by June this year.

It was supposed to be inaugurated in March by President Ram Nath Kovind.

However, the project got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus, according to Murali Krishna, chief general manager of BSNL in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
“The project should now be completed by the end of October,” Krishna told ThePrint.


Do understand a part of the optical fibre capacity is also meant for Military communications..
Do expect Radar information to be transmitted from Andaman IACCS back to mainland India in superfast way

 

[Tanmay]

https://theprint.in/india/2300-km-u...connectivity-pm-set-to-launch-project/476663/

2,300-km undersea cable to boost Andamans internet connectivity, PM set to launch project
Project was announced by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in January and was supposed to be completed by June. However, it got delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown.
REVATHI KRISHNAN 7 August, 2020 10:51 am IST


New Delhi: The Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Island Submarine Cable System (CANI-SMCP), which will provide the island union territory with improved internet connectivity and communications, will finally be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 August.

The project — led by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunications(DoT) — was announced by Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in January and was slated to be completed by June this year.

It was supposed to be inaugurated in March by President Ram Nath Kovind.

However, the project got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus, according to Murali Krishna, chief general manager of BSNL in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
“The project should now be completed by the end of October,” Krishna told ThePrint.


Do understand a part of the optical fibre capacity is also meant for Military communications..
Do expect Radar information to be transmitted from Andaman IACCS back to mainland India in superfast way

PM inaugurates Andaman Nicobar fibre optic cable.

I believe its phase 1. Phase 2 will take time

 

[Tanmay]

This is on the same island as Campbell Bay navy airbase INS Baaz. Located very near to Indonesia.

 

[Okabe Rintarou]

This is on the same island as Campbell Bay navy airbase INS Baaz. Located very near to Indonesia.

Transshipment ports would serve India. right? Since many of our ports can't accommodate deep draft vessels. This takes business away from Sri Lanka. But why Great Nicobar? Transshipment hubs would require a large body of dock workers, etc. Eventually, an entire tier-1 city could develop around such a facility. Would Andaman islands not have been better for that? Its got population, land area and a self-sustaining economy.

Great Nicobar should be reserved mostly for military use. Expanding it into a Naval staging area for power projection into the South China Sea should be our long term goal. Even from a defensive standpoint, Andaman and other Nicobar islands can be defended better if we have Great Nicobar as a shield. Its big enough to house a full fledged Air and Naval base. Maybe even station the 91st Infantry Brigade there eventually?

 

[Haldilal]

Transshipment ports would serve India. right? Since many of our ports can't accommodate deep draft vessels. This takes business away from Sri Lanka. But why Great Nicobar? Transshipment hubs would require a large body of dock workers, etc. Eventually, an entire tier-1 city could develop around such a facility. Would Andaman islands not have been better for that? Its got population, land area and a self-sustaining economy.

Great Nicobar should be reserved mostly for military use. Expanding it into a Naval staging area for power projection into the South China Sea should be our long term goal. Even from a defensive standpoint, Andaman and other Nicobar islands can be defended better if we have Great Nicobar as a shield. Its big enough to house a full fledged Air and Naval base. Maybe even station the 91st Infantry Brigade there eventually?

It will be bone to increase trade with the SEA countries . To capture the 75 crores plus market series of Ports are needed on the eastern coast of india A & N islands need lot of infracture to developed and sustain large scale operation . Ports at A & N will cut the dominance of Sri Lanka as a place for shipments . Nicobar island lies exactly on the routes passing through the Malacca straits and Sri Lanka . Ports in andaman will be only useful if Kra Canal is build .