Lakshwadeep India sets up another security outpost in Arabian Sea

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/India...y-outpost-in-Arabian-Sea/Article1-642470.aspx

ndia can "neglect" the security of the seas at its own "peril", Defence Minister AK Antony said on Friday, as he inaugurated the last outpost of the country in Minicoy island in the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast. "We can neglect the seas only at our peril, as the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai
showed," Antony said, urging the maritime forces to remain "ever vigilant and not to lower their guard at any point of time"

He said nations were turning to the seas and oceans for sustenance as natural resources on land were fast getting depleted.

The defence minister was on his maiden visit to Lakshadweep to inaugurate the Coast Guard Station here.

He also established a new Coast Guard district headquarters for Lakshadweep at Kavaratti.

The set up at Kavaratti has been named district headquarters No 12 and will have operational control over a number of ships and aircraft such as hovercrafts, fast patrol vessels, interceptor boats, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft on the commissioning of planned stations.

All the operational platforms are equipped with modern surveillance systems, sensors, weapons and communication equipment to maintain round-the-clock vigil at sea.

The two new establishments in the strategically located islands will provide the much-needed teeth to the Coast Guard operations and enhance safety and security of Lakshadweep Islands. They would also facilitate greater synergy between the Coast Guard, the Lakshadweep administration and other agencies.
 

Tshering22

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INS at Lakshadweep soon

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=14042

KOCHI: The Indian Navy will soon have an INS at the Lakshadweep islands. In yet another boost to India's coastal security network around the Lakshadweep islands, the Indian Navy is also planning to have a full-fledged unit at the islands after the Coast Guard.

Highly placed sources with the Navy have confirmed that the process for setting up an established shore unit at the islands are already on.
At present, the Indian Navy has two detachments at the Kavarathi and Minicoy islands under the Southern Naval Command. A decision to have an established shore unit at Lakshadweep islands was taken in view of the recent incidents of piracy near the islands and increased maritime activity in the region. The naval unit is expected to be operational by next year.
"The project for the shore unit is still in the pipeline. The Navy has identified the significance of the Lakshadweep islands in view of the piracy and maritime activities in the region. The process for establishing a shore unit at the islands is already on. The procedural requirements of sanction and clearance from the Ministry of Defence is needed," sources with the Navy said.
It is learnt that the new naval unit may come up at the Kavarathi island. Currently the Navy has two detachments under a Naval officer incharge of the islands at Lakshadweep.
"Once the shore unit comes up, it will be an independent naval establishment. That will help in taking decisions on financial matters and other administrative decisions. The unit is expected to be operational by 2011," the sources said.

In view of the increased pirate activity around the island, the Coast Guard has decided to set up a District Headquarters at the islands. Recently there were a number of piracyrelated activities around the Lakshadweep islands.

It was a couple of months ago that some Somali nationals were caught from near the islands.

Two weeks back the Navy apprehended an Iranian dhow with Iranians and Pakistanis on board.


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Regarding the bold and underlined part; has it ever occurred to GOI that what the F was a dhow full of Pakistanis and Iranians doing in Lakshadweep's waters?

My understanding is that Pakistanis were most likely planning to set up a base in some of the uninhabited islands for operations like Mumbai. Call me a a panic-monger but this is a serious issue.

And as if we don't have enough terrorism trouble already, Somalis are also now joining the gang. Isn't it like late now that GOI has woken up to hold serious patrols of uninhabited islands?
 

Yusuf

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In lakshadweep and A&N islands we have natural carriers. Good to see the govt now thinking about the western flank. A&N already has a tri service base.
 

Tshering22

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^^ Yeah Lakshadweep is a critical point that has been left unnoticed. Northeast at least gets the attention due to China factor. I would say that we should base our Vikrant-II from a Lakshadweep base. It is likely that the 2 carriers would be used simultaneously which means that we will be using Vikramaditya for eastern command while Vikrant-II for Western command. I wouldn't overrate the importance of the region but now when we finally start seeing dhows full of Somalis, Pakistanis and Iranis all around our coastal waters, it is time that we upgrade the western Island chains and start making regular aerial patrols.

UAV patrols are more feasible that having MiG-29Ks patrolling the region 24/7. UAV in synch with warships should be enough to monitor maritime movement beyond mainland shores in the West. Somalis are also well known for falling into the Jihad gag--a likely possibility of them getting involved in Pakistani proxy war since Chechens have been already spotted from across POK. Entertaining more foreign Jihadists is not really in our favour.
 

Yusuf

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The only problem with L'deep is that there is not much of land or good land as such. We would have to work at some reclamation around existing atolls if we want to have another base there. I dont think we could yet have a full fledged base there. The geography is not in favor. Most of the atolls are submerged. But it could be done to enhance security.
 

Tshering22

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The only problem with L'deep is that there is not much of land or good land as such. We would have to work at some reclamation around existing atolls if we want to have another base there. I dont think we could yet have a full fledged base there. The geography is not in favor. Most of the atolls are submerged. But it could be done to enhance security.
This is where the infrastructure mantra comes into play. Most of Lakshadweep is a tourist destination and is hence kept as atolls. However we can certainly a couple of those atolls to be turned into smaller watch bases. Either Navy has to do this or get the Coast Guard to do it. Our commanders mention this geography excuse as not being favourable but recently a bunch of Pakistanis and Iraqis (possibly jihadists) found it pretty easy to come to the location. What does this show? And most of these ragtag terrorists don't even have proper food to eat let alone a government's money at disposal.

I agree that geography plays a large role in getting bases but we don't need bases like US navy has world around in Lakshadweep; small bases that can service frigates, fast attack boats, have helicopter landing pads and launch UAVs for patrolling the region etc will do just fine.

Remember what happened to Maldives (an atoll country) due to which we had to launch Operation Cactus to save them. Lakshadweep and Maldives share a lot in terms of geography and this is our territory that is under our command we are talking about rather than a protectorate country. We must take all the efforts to scan small uninhabited atolls and put some sort of surveillance post there with at least a dozen troops/sailors there with sufficient weapons to hold off a terrorist takeover.

An LeT base on Lakshadweep would be the last thing we would want at this stage.
 

sandeepdg

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From what we can see using Google maps, one of the islands is good enough for a small air base and others can be utilized for small naval bases, housing small frigates, missile boats surveillance helicopters etc. beside the usual Coast Guard hardware.
 

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