Andaman & Nicobar Defence Discussion

[captscooby81]

That should be the easy way of making more space for creating defence infrastructure or else look at these jokers on the name of environmentalist freaking for some 200 Rare birds and stopping construction of base in island which will be the crucial most part of india s first line of defence in the IOR region when the chinese start an war

I have a question for long long time. I have seen some photos of Andamn islands. Some are very small and parted by a small distance. Can we fill some soil and make them a large stretch of land useful for all military purposes like chinese artificial island? If possible, I am fully in favor of doing that.

Well procrastination which is something we are very good at we will only awake when the entire BoB is taken over by the chinese strong of pearls . I wont be surprised if china creates an artificial island out of now where to check us in A&N also ..Still our babudom will be moving files with all bottle neck departments ,wildlife my foot ..Do the chinese will care about wildlife when they will launch their missiles on our islands in A&N ????

Land reclamation is always possible to increase the area of the islands. I have no clue why india doesn't push forward with reclamation for strategic islands. Or maybe they consider that the area is enough for whatever military requirement. Not sure though.

 

[Adioz]

I have a question for long long time. I have seen some photos of Andamn islands. Some are very small and parted by a small distance. Can we fill some soil and make them a large stretch of land useful for all military purposes like chinese artificial island? If possible, I am fully in favor of doing that.

Well, Andaman and Nicobar islands have larger islands like Car Nicobar, so land reclamation is not absolutely essential. In places such as Agatti island (Lakshadweep) where there is no other choice, they are doing land reclamation to extend the airstrip's length, similar to what China is doing. Car Nicobar is a very big island, and a lot of work can be done to increase the defense capability of that island, without resorting to land reclamation.

That should be the easy way of making more space for creating defence infrastructure or else look at these jokers on the name of environmentalist freaking for some 200 Rare birds and stopping construction of base in island which will be the crucial most part of india s first line of defence in the IOR region when the chinese start an war



Well procrastination which is something we are very good at we will only awake when the entire BoB is taken over by the chinese strong of pearls . I wont be surprised if china creates an artificial island out of now where to check us in A&N also ..Still our babudom will be moving files with all bottle neck departments ,wildlife my foot ..Do the chinese will care about wildlife when they will launch their missiles on our islands in A&N ????

We need to come up with clearly demarcated ecological and military zones in Andaman and Nicobar. In the military zones, Defense infrastructure and facilities should be given priority over and above environmental concerns. This current arrangement of a case-by-case basis of environmental clearance for military projects should be phased out. Once that happens, a lot of projects can be expedited.

 

[lcafanboy]

More muscle for India’s Andaman and Nicobar defence posts to counter hawkish China
Saturday, August 26, 2017 By: HT Source Link: CLICK HERE

The Narendra Modi government plans to strengthen the Tri-Service Command in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to expand India’s military reach in the Bay of Bengal and counterbalance growing Chinese ambitions in the region.

The joint command of the army, air force and navy was set up in the country’s southeastern islands during the previous NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee 16 years ago.

South Block sources said work started to add military teeth to the command that has its headquarters in Port Blair and it could be placed under the proposed permanent Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC).

With Beijing getting aggressive in the South China Sea, India has decided to secure its backyard by building military capacities from North Andaman to Car Nicobar islands for safeguarding strategic sea lanes and maritime territory.

Indian interests are located strategically on the mouth of the Malacca Straits. This gateway to the Far East is an 850km channel and it carries 40% of the world’s freight trade as more than 94,000 merchant ships cross this portal each year to and from China, South Korea and Japan.

But Malacca is a chokepoint, narrowing down to a mere 2.8km south of Singapore.

India plans to augment its military capacities and safeguard its interests in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean with better and bigger runways at naval air stations in North Andaman’s Shibpur and at Campbell bay in Great Nicobar.

These will be extended from the current 3,000 feet to 10,000 feet to accommodate fighter jets and bigger planes such as the navy’s Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft. These airstrips will be kitted out with ammunition dumps too.

The airfields are currently used for Dornier aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters. The expansion will allow the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to land on and take-off from these airstrips.

In the long run, civilian traffic can also use these airfields.

The defence ministry is understood to have started the process of acquiring land for building a reinforced and bigger command in Port Blair.

It will have extended jetties along the harbour for mooring aircraft carriers and large warships. A naval ammunition depot is also proposed for replenishing the navy’s ships during contingencies.

The Car Nicobar air force base will get more teeth as well, with an extended capacity to hold fighter squadrons for a month and beyond.

The naval units at INS Kardip in Kamorta Islands, south of Car Nicobar, are being upgraded for warships.

At present, the station provides logistics support and has wharf for small ships.

The southernmost station, INS Baaz at Campbell Bay that is barely 150km from Indonesia’s Banda Aceh, is getting an extended airstrip of 6,000 feet. Plans are afoot to dredge the bay for bigger warships and rig the place with a robust radar network.

Campbell Bay will be a major military hub to prevent terrorist and pirate attacks on vessels crossing the vulnerable Malacca Straits.
http://www.defencenews.in/article/M...defence-posts-to-counter-hawkish-China-283899

 

[lcafanboy]

Need of the hour....

@IndianHawk @Willy2 @roma @Krusty @Defcon 1 @Ghanteshwar @raheel besharam @raja696 @Amr @AnkitPurohit @Akshay_Fenix @aditya10r @airtel @aditya10r @ancientIndian @Bahamut @Berkut @Bornubus @Bengal_Tiger @ersakthivel @FRYCRY @Gessler @HariSud @hit&run @hardip @indiandefencefan @IndianHawk @JayPatel @Kshatriya87 @LETHALFORCE @Mikesingh @NavneetKundu @OneGrimPilgrim @pmaitra @PaliwalWarrior @Pulkit @smestarz @SakalGhareluUstad @Srinivas_K @ShashankSharma @Superdefender @Screambowl @TacticalFrog @Abhijat @A chauhan @Alien @alphacentury @Ancient Indian @Ankit Purohit @anupamsurey @armyofhind @Bharat Ek Khoj @Bhumihar @blueblood @brational @Bangalorean @Blackwater @Bornubus @bose @Bullet @cobra commando @DingDong @DFI_COAS @dhananjay1 @ersakthivel @F-14B @fooLIam @gpawar @guru-dutt @here2where @hit&run @HariPrasad-1 @Indx TechStyle @Kshatriya87 @jackprince @Kharavela @Illusive @I_PLAY_BAD @LETHALFORCE @Lions Of Punjab @maomao @Mad Indian @OneGrimPilgrim @Peter @piKacHHu @Pinky Chaudhary @porky_kicker @Razor @raja696 @Rowdy @Sakal Gharelu Ustad @SanjeevM @saty @sydsnyper @Srinivas_K @Screambowl @sorcerer @Simple_Guy @Sylex21 @wickedone @tarunraju @TrueSpirit2 @thethinker @Tshering22 @vayuu1 @VIP @Vishwarupa @VIP @Varahamihira @Navnit Kundu @WARREN SS @Willy2 @3deffect

 

[Bahamut]

We need dedicated ASW planes and amphibious plane for A&N

 

[sorcerer]

Started during NDA Version 1.0 Era and getting continued only now at NDA version 2.0.
Shows which one is really interested in the security of the nation.

 

[Adioz]

There was a proposal to make a SOSUS array type under water near Nicobar. Is it still on the table?

 

[Mikesingh]

More muscle for India’s Andaman and Nicobar defence posts to counter hawkish China
Saturday, August 26, 2017 By: HT Source Link: CLICK HERE

The Narendra Modi government plans to strengthen the Tri-Service Command in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to expand India’s military reach in the Bay of Bengal and counterbalance growing Chinese ambitions in the region.

The joint command of the army, air force and navy was set up in the country’s southeastern islands during the previous NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee 16 years ago.

South Block sources said work started to add military teeth to the command that has its headquarters in Port Blair and it could be placed under the proposed permanent Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC).

With Beijing getting aggressive in the South China Sea, India has decided to secure its backyard by building military capacities from North Andaman to Car Nicobar islands for safeguarding strategic sea lanes and maritime territory.

Indian interests are located strategically on the mouth of the Malacca Straits. This gateway to the Far East is an 850km channel and it carries 40% of the world’s freight trade as more than 94,000 merchant ships cross this portal each year to and from China, South Korea and Japan.

But Malacca is a chokepoint, narrowing down to a mere 2.8km south of Singapore.

India plans to augment its military capacities and safeguard its interests in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean with better and bigger runways at naval air stations in North Andaman’s Shibpur and at Campbell bay in Great Nicobar.

These will be extended from the current 3,000 feet to 10,000 feet to accommodate fighter jets and bigger planes such as the navy’s Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft. These airstrips will be kitted out with ammunition dumps too.

The airfields are currently used for Dornier aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters. The expansion will allow the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to land on and take-off from these airstrips.

In the long run, civilian traffic can also use these airfields.

The defence ministry is understood to have started the process of acquiring land for building a reinforced and bigger command in Port Blair.

It will have extended jetties along the harbour for mooring aircraft carriers and large warships. A naval ammunition depot is also proposed for replenishing the navy’s ships during contingencies.

The Car Nicobar air force base will get more teeth as well, with an extended capacity to hold fighter squadrons for a month and beyond.

The naval units at INS Kardip in Kamorta Islands, south of Car Nicobar, are being upgraded for warships.

At present, the station provides logistics support and has wharf for small ships.

The southernmost station, INS Baaz at Campbell Bay that is barely 150km from Indonesia’s Banda Aceh, is getting an extended airstrip of 6,000 feet. Plans are afoot to dredge the bay for bigger warships and rig the place with a robust radar network.

Campbell Bay will be a major military hub to prevent terrorist and pirate attacks on vessels crossing the vulnerable Malacca Straits.
http://www.defencenews.in/article/More-muscle-for-India’s-Andaman-and-Nicobar-defence-posts-to-counter-hawkish-China-283899

Good!

But we'll also need to deploy more air defense (AD) assets to counter Chinese missiles for which nothing has been mentioned. They should have a regiment of S-400 missiles at least out here considering the strategic importance of the Andamans, an Indian Ocean base that dominates the IOR and the Strait of Malacca.

 

[Willy2]

Good thing that we finally keep an eye on the Malacca

However ,what our plan about "other route" to IOR ?
I mean, the southern Antarctic ocean path between Antarctica and South Australian coast

Though it will take plenty much time than SCS-Malacca route , but itcan be used as alternate path for intrusion

@IndianHawk @Willy2 @roma @Krusty @Defcon 1 @Ghanteshwar @raheel besharam @raja696 @Amr@AnkitPurohit @Akshay_Fenix @aditya10r @airtel @aditya10r @ancientIndian @Bahamut @Berkut@Bornubus @Bengal_Tiger @ersakthivel @FRYCRY @Gessler @HariSud @hit&run @hardip@indiandefencefan @IndianHawk @JayPatel @Kshatriya87 @LETHALFORCE @Mikesingh @NavneetKundu @OneGrimPilgrim @pmaitra @PaliwalWarrior @Pulkit @smestarz @SakalGhareluUstad @Srinivas_K@ShashankSharma @Superdefender @Screambowl @TacticalFrog @Abhijat @A chauhan @Alien@alphacentury @Ancient Indian @Ankit Purohit @anupamsurey @armyofhind @Bharat Ek Khoj @Bhumihar@blueblood @brational @Bangalorean @Blackwater @Bornubus @bose @Bullet @cobra commando@DingDong @DFI_COAS @dhananjay1 @ersakthivel @F-14B @fooLIam @gpawar @guru-dutt @here2where@hit&run @HariPrasad-1 @Indx TechStyle @Kshatriya87 @jackprince @Kharavela @Illusive @I_PLAY_BAD@LETHALFORCE @Lions Of Punjab @maomao @Mad Indian @OneGrimPilgrim @Peter @piKacHHu @Pinky Chaudhary @porky_kicker @Razor @raja696 @Rowdy @Sakal Gharelu Ustad @SanjeevM @saty @sydsnyper@Srinivas_K @Screambowl @sorcerer @Simple_Guy @Sylex21 @wickedone @tarunraju @TrueSpirit2@thethinker @Tshering22 @vayuu1 @VIP @Vishwarupa @VIP @Varahamihira @Navnit Kundu @WARREN SS@Willy2 @3deffect

 

[roma]

Started during NDA Version 1.0 Era and getting continued only now at NDA version 2.0.
Shows which one is really interested in the security of the nation.

There was a proposal to make a SOSUS array type under water near Nicobar. Is it still on the table?

Good!
But we'll also need to deploy more air defense (AD) assets to counter Chinese missiles for which nothing has been mentioned. They should have a regiment of S-400 missiles at least out here considering the strategic importance of the Andamans, an Indian Ocean base that dominates the IOR and the Strait of Malacca.

Good thing that we finally keep an eye on the Malacca

However ,what our plan about "other route" to IOR ?
I mean, the southern Antarctic ocean path between Antarctica and South Australian coast

Though it will take plenty much time than SCS-Malacca route , but itcan be used as alternate path for intrusio

@IndianHawk @Willy2 @roma @Krusty @Defcon 1 @Ghanteshwar @raheel besharam @raja696 @Amr@AnkitPurohit @Akshay_Fenix @aditya10r @airtel @aditya10r @ancientIndian @Bahamut @Berkut@Bornubus @Bengal_Tiger @ersakthivel @FRYCRY @Gessler @HariSud @hit&run @hardip@indiandefencefan @IndianHawk @JayPatel @Kshatriya87 @LETHALFORCE @Mikesingh @NavneetKundu @OneGrimPilgrim @pmaitra @PaliwalWarrior @Pulkit @smestarz @SakalGhareluUstad @Srinivas_K@ShashankSharma @Superdefender @Screambowl @TacticalFrog @Abhijat @A chauhan @Alien@alphacentury @Ancient Indian @Ankit Purohit @anupamsurey @armyofhind @Bharat Ek Khoj @Bhumihar@blueblood @brational @Bangalorean @Blackwater @Bornubus @bose @Bullet @cobra commando@DingDong @DFI_COAS @dhananjay1 @ersakthivel @F-14B @fooLIam @gpawar @guru-dutt @here2where@hit&run @HariPrasad-1 @Indx TechStyle @Kshatriya87 @jackprince @Kharavela @Illusive @I_PLAY_BAD@LETHALFORCE @Lions Of Punjab @maomao @Mad Indian @OneGrimPilgrim @Peter @piKacHHu @Pinky Chaudhary @porky_kicker @Razor @raja696 @Rowdy @Sakal Gharelu Ustad @SanjeevM @saty @sydsnyper@Srinivas_K @Screambowl @sorcerer @Simple_Guy @Sylex21 @wickedone @tarunraju @TrueSpirit2@thethinker @Tshering22 @vayuu1 @VIP @Vishwarupa @VIP @Varahamihira @Navnit Kundu @WARREN SS@Willy2 @3deffect

the easy answer to the qn of open path via antarctica is the policy of retaliation !! ....more or less like what we did in Doklam .....shoow that the old days of gandhi-nehru are over and now we will take pre-emptive action or retaliate with strength

when mischiveous nations know that we are gonna do that for sure , then they will have to think about the consequences ..... it worked in '71 it worked in doklam ...it seems to work every time

2. another matter is to follow cpcprc's examlpe and build articficial islands in IOR ...these are actually huge aricraft carriers without engines and can be floating miitry bases ...

..they can also be used to prison huge numbers of packland soldiers the next time and not have to return them to pack and the food supplies for them can come from packland otherwise they might not have any ?.

 

[Willy2]

the easy answer to the qn of open path via antarctica is the policy of retaliation !! ....more or less like what we did in Doklam .....shoow that the old days of gandhi-nehru are over and now we will take pre-emptive action or retaliate with strength

Thats the reason why we need to get true "Blue water" capability before it's too late . we have an open field like large ocean in our backyard , and it's dangerous , more ASW ship , ASW aircraft etc require , alos might possibly liege of one or 2 island from Chagos

 

[sorcerer]

Andaman & Nicobar Islands : A neglected military outpost to a vital strategic asset under Modi's leadership

India’s new Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to celebrate Diwali in Port Blair – the only tri-services command in India. Her visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) is yet another confirmation that the current government is willing to increase the strategic profile of ANI. A series of surprising and positive announcements from the government in the past two weeks is poised to transform the islands from a neglected military outpost to a vital strategic asset.

For decades, Delhi has debated the costs and benefits of developing the islands and its utility. The financial costs are significantly high with serious environmental constraints. The presence of indigenous tribes and concerns for their welfare has been a key factor challenging island development. However, the security environment in India’s maritime domain has changed drastically. After years of neglect, the Modi government is finally making a push to develop the ANI. The need to develop these islands, their strategic importance, and their potential as a tourism hotspot has long been known and argued for. Despite various attempts by previous government to undertake feasibility studies and develop the islands, not much had materialised.

One of the first projects sanctioned under this government has been the submarine optic fibre cable running between Chennai and Port Blair. This project will allow the islands to have considerable bandwith for telecom and internet services both for e-government initiatives and tourism. The islands currently have poor digital connectivity adding to the remote and secluded characteristic of the ANI. The project is slated to be completed by December 2018 and will reportedly cost 1102.38 crore. Along with digital connectivity, the state of physical connectivity, especially between the islands, is particularly pitiful. There is a significant amount of work still required to develop the islands in areas as basic as electricity and water to elevate the conditions of these islands.

The NITI Aayog has been tasked with the planning and management of sustainable developments of five islands, Smith, Ross, Aves, Long and Little Andaman. An important step towards undertaking a holistic approach in developing the islands has been the establishment of the “Island Development Agency” in 2017 chaired by Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, with Admiral D.K. Joshi, former Chief of the Indian Navy, as the Vice Chairman. The fact that Admiral Joshi was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of the islands just two months later signals the existence of a greater strategic thinking in developing the islands.

Given their close proximity to the Malacca Straits and Southeast Asia, the Andaman and Nicobar islands have always been strategically important . Busy shipping routes such as the Ten Degree Channel are remarkably close to the islands. India’s presence in these islands therefore expands the Indian Navy’s reach into Southeast Asia, consolidates its presence over the Malacca straits, and provides potential to further expand into the Southern Indian Ocean. Despite its advantages, the islands have unfortunately been sidelined in India’s maritime strategic role. One of the key factors challenging the use of these islands for strategic purposes has been the lack of a strategic maritime vision.

Today, India faces a drastically altered maritime security environment. China’s expansion into the Indian Ocean, a military base in Djibouti and routine deployment of submarines to the region is changing the existing security architecture. Delhi cannot afford to keep debating the development of the islands. The emerging Sino-Indian competition in the Indian Ocean only accentuates this necessity. The Indian Navy desperately requires to elevate the conditions of the islands to advance its own maritime ambitions and goals. There is a need to upgrade military facilities in the islands such as extension of runways, increased harbours size and depth and appropriate infrastructure to base larger assets. There is also a need to upgrade the Port Blair base to a full-fledged forward operating base. These developments not only require military infrastructure but also civilian to support staff and their families, including access to water, electricity, housing and schools.

The Indian government has taken some active steps to improve connectivity within the islands with the announcement of a number of highway and shipping projects in October 2017. These projects aim to provide seamless connectivity between North, Middle and South Andaman and improve existing infrastructure. Although this is a very positive development, much more is required to truly realise the commercial and strategic potential of these islands. Given its budgetary restrictions, it is not necessary that Delhi has to undertake the development on its own. India can explore a collaborative approach with its friends and partners in the region, synergising existing initiatives to develop these islands.

The 2016 India-Japan joint statement mentioned the bilateral cooperation to “develop smart islands”. Although details on such an initiative are yet to emerge fully, collaboration is most certainly aimed at the sustainable development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, borrowing from the concept of a smart city. Delhi and Tokyo are doing a number of projects on infrastructure development and this collaboration must be extended to the islands without doubt. India must also discuss such collaborations with France on upgrading energy facilities and environment conservations on the Andaman’s, and learn from Paris’s experience in developing the Reunion Islands.

India has thus far kept the islands in solitude and limited interaction with its international partners. Having drawn up the intent and will to develop the Andaman’s, Delhi will now have to build its smart islands with cooperation from its maritime partners. The strategic development of these islands is no longer an option but a necessity.'''


https://blogs.economictimes.indiati.../andaman-and-nicobar-as-indias-smart-islands/

 

[sorcerer]

Navy goes full throttle to augment infrastructure in Andaman


The Indian Navy has gone full steam to augment its infrastructure in Andaman, in order to jack up its presence in the vicinity of several strategically significant waterways in the Indian Ocean.

The 3,500-ft existing runway at the naval air station, INS Baaz, at Campbell Bay is being extended, first to 6,000 ft and subsequently to 10,000 ft by 2021.

The Navy plans to locate at least some of its P8I surveillance planes at the Campbell Bay once the runway extension work is over. Currently these aircraft, purchased from the USA, are stationed at INS Rajali at Arakonam in Tamil Nadu.

In another two months, the Navy would shift its second floating dry dock to the islands on the eastern sea board to service a large number of ships operating in that area.

Capable of docking warships of up to 8,000 tonnes displacement, the floating dock has high capacity ballast pumps along with advanced automated ballast control system.

The dock, manufactured by Larsen & Toubro, will facilitate repair and refit activities even in inclement weather conditions.

The infrastructure augmentation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is being undertaken at a time when India has institutionalised patrolling of the high seas near Malacca Strait and Six Degrees Channel.

Since June, naval ships stationed at Andaman and Nicobar are deployed to keep a watch on the maritime traffic passing through one of the world's busiest sea lanes round the clock.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was in Andaman on October 18 and 19, had been given a briefing on the Navy's future plans on infrastructure development in the island.

Nirmala, on October 18, was received at INS Utkrosh by Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and former Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi and Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command, Vice Admiral Bimal Verma.

She was given a comprehensive brief on the security environment and thrust areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, at its headquarters, sources said.

The Navy is also constructing three forward operating bases at Kamorta (Nicobar) and Diglipur and Campbell Bay (Andaman) to reduce the turnaround time for the smaller corvettes operating in that region.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/638436/navy-goes-full-throttle-augment.html

 

[pmaitra]

Several threads on A&N Islands merged into one.

 

[indiatester]

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/en...m-the-brink/article22334830.ece?homepage=true
Narcondam Hornbills edge back from the brink
Shiv Sahay Singh Kolkata, December 30, 2017 21:15 IST
Updated: December 30, 2017 21:15 IST

The island habitat of the endangered species was slated to host a defence post, raising ecologists’ concerns
Amid shrinking natural habitats and climate change driving several species to the brink of extinction, reports of a growing population of the endangered Narcondam Hornbill offer ecologists some cheer.

A visit to Narcondam on December 16 and 17 by C. Sivaperuman, a scientist with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), found a healthy population of the bird. “We could spot a number of breeding pairs and young birds. In a span of a few hours, we could spot more than a hundred of these birds,” Mr. Sivaperuman told The Hindu.

With a velvet-black plumage and an oversized yellow beak, the Narcondam Hornbill and its remote habitat were the centre of a controversy following a 2014 proposal to install a Defence Ministry listening post on the remote island in the Andaman and Nicobar chain. The 7 sq. km. island, a declared wildlife sanctuary, is near Myanmar’s Coco island, where the Chinese have a military presence.

Despite strong reservations from a number of environmentalists and experts, the office of the Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had suggested in August 2014 that an alternative home for the species be considered as Narcondam was a “vital place for strategic surveillance and establishment of a radar station”.

Fortunately for the bird, considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and on the Red List of threatened species, the Defence Ministry did not pursue the matter.

D.M. Shukla, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Andaman and Nicobar Island, told The Hindu that there had been no construction on the island, except for a police outpost.

According to experts, Yahya and Zarri conducted one of the last detailed studies on the Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami) in 2002, when they estimated 68-85 breeding pairs of the bird with a population of about 400 individuals.

Though Mr. Sivaperuman has not conducted a count of the birds on the island, he said, “The number is definitely more than 400.”

Plans are afoot for long-term studies of the endangered bird. “Considering the isolation of this important species and scanty information on its ecology and biology, a two-day survey was conducted to prepare a long-term monitoring proposal,” Mr. Sivaperuman said.

 

[captscooby81]

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 ...

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/en...m-the-brink/article22334830.ece?homepage=true
Narcondam Hornbills edge back from the brink
Shiv Sahay Singh Kolkata, December 30, 2017 21:15 IST
Updated: December 30, 2017 21:15 IST

The island habitat of the endangered species was slated to host a defence post, raising ecologists’ concerns
Amid shrinking natural habitats and climate change driving several species to the brink of extinction, reports of a growing population of the endangered Narcondam Hornbill offer ecologists some cheer.

A visit to Narcondam on December 16 and 17 by C. Sivaperuman, a scientist with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), found a healthy population of the bird. “We could spot a number of breeding pairs and young birds. In a span of a few hours, we could spot more than a hundred of these birds,” Mr. Sivaperuman told The Hindu.

With a velvet-black plumage and an oversized yellow beak, the Narcondam Hornbill and its remote habitat were the centre of a controversy following a 2014 proposal to install a Defence Ministry listening post on the remote island in the Andaman and Nicobar chain. The 7 sq. km. island, a declared wildlife sanctuary, is near Myanmar’s Coco island, where the Chinese have a military presence.

Despite strong reservations from a number of environmentalists and experts, the office of the Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had suggested in August 2014 that an alternative home for the species be considered as Narcondam was a “vital place for strategic surveillance and establishment of a radar station”.

Fortunately for the bird, considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and on the Red List of threatened species, the Defence Ministry did not pursue the matter.

D.M. Shukla, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Andaman and Nicobar Island, told The Hindu that there had been no construction on the island, except for a police outpost.

According to experts, Yahya and Zarri conducted one of the last detailed studies on the Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami) in 2002, when they estimated 68-85 breeding pairs of the bird with a population of about 400 individuals.

Though Mr. Sivaperuman has not conducted a count of the birds on the island, he said, “The number is definitely more than 400.”

Plans are afoot for long-term studies of the endangered bird. “Considering the isolation of this important species and scanty information on its ecology and biology, a two-day survey was conducted to prepare a long-term monitoring proposal,” Mr. Sivaperuman said.

 

[Spectre]

In my opinion, the Indian navy should seriously consider the V22 osprey in the airborne tanking and Awac roles. The main reason for the same is the additional capability and flexibility that the induction of these variants of the V22 will bring to the fleet.

When it comes to the cost aspect, in my opinion, the acquisition of the V22 in a troop transport role is not justified however, this is not the case for the tanking and Awac variants. The reason being that these variants will act as force multipliers and increase the capabilities and the flexibility of existing forces (read, Mig 29 K).

Each if our STOBAR carriers can be equipped with suitable le number of V22's. The tankers will offset one of the disadvantages that the ski jump imposes on the Mig 29k (ie reduced fuel and weapon loads). The availability of an organic tanker will allow the aircraft to compromise initial fuel load out in favor of a full weapons load. Initially, they may carry fuel that is just enough for the journey till the preposition V22 tanker. Once the mid air refuelling is complete, the Mig 29 K will be fully combat ready, fuel and weapons.

The V22 increases both the range and the striking power of the carrier launched Mig 29k. Thus investment in a V22 tanker will lead to the full utilisation of the otherwise crippled Mig 29k.


While placing tankers on STOBAR carriers is fine and dandy, the distributed forward placement of V22 tankers and Awac aircraft on smaller Indian ocean islands excites me. We can be sure that on commencement of hostilities, the Chinese will try to target our ISR aircraft (AWACS etc.) these aircraft will be vulnerable to Chinese attack during airborne extended time airborne (owing to long transit between target areas and base). Also, runways on the andaman will be attacked by Chinese ballistic missiles and time will be needed to repair these airstrips. In such a contingency, the MV 22 can be relocated from the airbase to semiprepared, camouflaged sites on smaller islands. Popping up when a clearer picture is needed and landing on any of the large number of sites at its disposal.

Secondly, V22 tankers too can be used in the same way, reducing the need for IAF tankers to make long transits.V22 tankers, owing to their VTOL ability may also refused from preplaced, camouflaged buel bladders, rendezvous with duel trucks etc.

The distributed placement of these sites will also create multiple dilemmas for the attacking force. Owing to camouflage and the absence of radio transmission from these sites (due to wired communications), the destruction of these sites and the V22's that hop between the sites and never remain static will be exponentially tougher.

The V22 may, in the above mentioned manner strengthen the defence of 'Fortress Andaman'.

 

[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/

State-run telecom firm BSNL today said it will connect Andaman and Nicobar Islands with optical fibre cables which will provide initial capacity of 400 gigabit per second to the union territory. “BSNL is in process of connecting A&N Islands on Optical Fiber Submarine Cable link from Chennai to Port Blair and seven other islands…This project will be completed within next two years and initial capacity of these links will be 400Gbps,” BSNL Director (Enterprise) NK Mehta said in a statement today.

The seven islands that will be connected are- Hutbay, Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Campbelbay, Havelock, Long and Rangat.

Mehta announced that BSNL has augmented satellite bandwidth in A&N Islands from 240 megabit per second by over four folds to to 1 Gbps. “Further, the bandwidth augmentation work is in progress and 2Gbps will be completed by December 2018,” he said.

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

Sources said that of the eight fibre cables (four pairs), two fibres will be dedicated to defence use. To some, the prospect of a Chinese company or consortium bidding for, and possibly securing, the tender is cause for concern.

Global firms such as NSW (Germany), NEC (Japan), Alcatel Submarine Networks (UK) and Tyco (US) may bid for the project, as will Chinese firms such as Huawei Marine (China) and ZTT Submarine, sources said. Among the Indian companies likely to participate are Sterlite Technologies, Himachal Futuristic Communications and Paramount Wires and Cables.

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/

Here is a good news for people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Perhaps for the first time in the history, some ground works for the dream project of laying Undersea Optical Fiber Cable from Chennai to Port Blair has been carried out. As per the CGM of BSNL, Mr. V Jagadeesan as on date the works are progressing well as per target date, which is June 2020.
Talking to the Regional News Unit of All India Radio recently the CGM added that presently two ships of Japanese Company NEC are carrying out survey works in on shore and off shore region.
According to him one ship had come to Andaman and has now gone to Nicobar region for carrying out survey works, which is almost over. The ship is about to reach Port Blair within few days after which it will go towards Rangat, Long Island etc region for carrying out survey.
Second ship which will survey deep sea, has started from Chennai is about to reach Port Blair and after reaching Port Blair, it will proceed towards Nicobar Islands and later towards Middle Andaman.
“The entire survey works is expected to complete before onset of Monsoon. The BSNL is also completing the building construction works and the equipments will be arriving from Ministry soon,” the CGM added.

 

[Armand2REP]

Alcatel Submarine Networks (UK)

UK company? That is French as French can get.

 

[Hari Sud]

In my opinion, the Indian navy should seriously consider the V22 osprey in the airborne tanking and Awac roles. The main reason for the same is the additional capability and flexibility that the induction of these variants of the V22 will bring to the fleet.

When it comes to the cost aspect, in my opinion, the acquisition of the V22 in a troop transport role is not justified however, this is not the case for the tanking and Awac variants. The reason being that these variants will act as force multipliers and increase the capabilities and the flexibility of existing forces (read, Mig 29 K).

Each if our STOBAR carriers can be equipped with suitable le number of V22's. The tankers will offset one of the disadvantages that the ski jump imposes on the Mig 29k (ie reduced fuel and weapon loads). The availability of an organic tanker will allow the aircraft to compromise initial fuel load out in favor of a full weapons load. Initially, they may carry fuel that is just enough for the journey till the preposition V22 tanker. Once the mid air refuelling is complete, the Mig 29 K will be fully combat ready, fuel and weapons.

The V22 increases both the range and the striking power of the carrier launched Mig 29k. Thus investment in a V22 tanker will lead to the full utilisation of the otherwise crippled Mig 29k.


While placing tankers on STOBAR carriers is fine and dandy, the distributed forward placement of V22 tankers and Awac aircraft on smaller Indian ocean islands excites me. We can be sure that on commencement of hostilities, the Chinese will try to target our ISR aircraft (AWACS etc.) these aircraft will be vulnerable to Chinese attack during airborne extended time airborne (owing to long transit between target areas and base). Also, runways on the andaman will be attacked by Chinese ballistic missiles and time will be needed to repair these airstrips. In such a contingency, the MV 22 can be relocated from the airbase to semiprepared, camouflaged sites on smaller islands. Popping up when a clearer picture is needed and landing on any of the large number of sites at its disposal.

Secondly, V22 tankers too can be used in the same way, reducing the need for IAF tankers to make long transits.V22 tankers, owing to their VTOL ability may also refused from preplaced, camouflaged buel bladders, rendezvous with duel trucks etc.

The distributed placement of these sites will also create multiple dilemmas for the attacking force. Owing to camouflage and the absence of radio transmission from these sites (due to wired communications), the destruction of these sites and the V22's that hop between the sites and never remain static will be exponentially tougher.

The V22 may, in the above mentioned manner strengthen the defence of 'Fortress Andaman'.

Find enough money to pay! These are very expensive toys listed by you.