NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday inaugurated a major runway upgrade at the Indian Air Force base in Car Nicobar, a move aimed at enhancing India’s strategic reach over the crucial Malacca Strait.
Car Nicobar, which was severely hit by the devastating 2004 tsunami, now has modernised infrastructure designed to bolster the IAF’s rapid response capabilities and strengthen India’s military posture in the eastern Indian Ocean region.
General Chauhan arrived at Car Nicobar around 11.30 am and was received by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), along with other senior officials. As part of the upgrade, apron areas have been expanded to enable smoother aircraft movement. The enhanced facilities will also allow the IAF to conduct long-range firing exercises within shorter timeframes.
Car Nicobar is a critical component of the Andaman and Nicobar Command—the country’s only tri-service command integrating the Army, Navy and Air Force. Strategically located in the Bay of Bengal, the island serves as a forward operating base for missions across the Indo-Pacific.
The air base plays a vital role in rapid force deployment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, as well as deterrence against threats to India’s maritime security. Its proximity to the Malacca Strait—one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes—further underlines its strategic importance.
On December 26, 2004, Car Nicobar was devastated by a massive tsunami that claimed the lives of 122 air warriors and their family members, along with hundreds of civilians. Entire villages were wiped out and the island’s coastline was dramatically altered.
The disaster prompted India to reassess its strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific. From a site of tragedy, Car Nicobar has since been rebuilt into a symbol of resilience. Today, the airbase hosts C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, elite paratroopers and advanced surveillance systems, reinforcing its role as a key military hub.
