Table of contents
Today, we delve into the heart of India's defence apparatus – its military bases. We'll explore ten key installations and their strategic significance, along with a sneak peek at India's military presence in its immediate neighbourhood.
North Agalega Island
Coastal surveillance radar system.
North Agalega Island
WHY IMPORTANT?
- Agalega Island is a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean approximately 1,100 kilometers north of Mauritius.
- India has a military base on North Agalega Island with a coastal surveillance radar system.
- Apart from it, a new airstrip and St. James Jetty was inaugurated in the country's outer Agaléga Island.
Northern Madagascar
Listening post.
Northern Madagascar
WHY IMPORTANT?
- It is India’s first foreign listening post cum monitoring station set up in northern Madagascar.
- It is part of the Indian Navy's strategy to protect the country's sea lanes of communication.
- It comprises radars and surveillance gear to intercept maritime communication.
- The station will monitor piracy, terrorism and counter the growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Haa Dzong, Western Bhutan
Military Training base.
Haa Dzong, Western Bhutan
WHY IMPORTANT?
- The Indian Military Training Team base is located at Haa Dzong in Western Bhutan.
- It is a training mission of the Indian army responsible for training of the Royal Bhutan Army and the Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan.
- It is the oldest training team sent outside India to a friendly foreign nation.
Chabahar Port, Iran
Chabahar Port, Iran
WHY IMPORTANT?
- Chabahar Port is located in the Sistan and Baluchestan province in Southeast Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
- It is geopolitically significant for boosting trade ties and diplomatic ties with Iran, and provides better connectivity to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.
- The port is a gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Europe, Central Asia, Russia, Iran, and India.
- It is located near the Gwadar port in Pakistan, which is operated by China.
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Air Base, Mattala
Air Base, Mattala, Sri Lanka
WHY IMPORTANT?
- India will have a 70% stake in the joint venture to revamp and run Sri Lanka’s loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.
- Called as the ‘world’s emptiest airport’, India proposed a flying school and a maintenance hub at Mattala airport.
- India has clear strategic interest in running the airport which is located near the China-controlled port in Hambantota.
Air Force Base, Surkhet
Air Force Base, Surkhet, Nepal
WHY IMPORTANT?
- Surkhet air base is close to the tri-junction of Kalapani, where China, India and Nepali share boundaries.
- It has strategic importance and can be useful during war with China.
Base at Duqm, Ras al Hadd
The Ras-al-Hadd has a Listening Post.
Base at Duqm, Ras al Hadd
WHY IMPORTANT?
- For counter piracy measures, India has a listening post at Ras al Hadd and berthing rights at Muscat naval base in Oman.
- The listening post is located across the Arabian Sea from Pakistan which collaborates with an interception post in the far north of Madagascar.
- Duqm port provides access to the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea.
Assumption Island
It is a naval base operation project.
Assumption Island
WHY IMPORTANT?
- The Indian Navy will lease the island for 30 years to operate a naval base and airstrip.
- Being financed entirely by India, the military personnel will be permitted on the ground.
- However, Seychelles retains full sovereign rights and ownership of the facilities.
- The use of military facilities will be suspended if India is at war.
Farkhor Air Base, Tajikistan
Farkhor Air Base, Tajikistan
WHY IMPORTANT?
- It is a military air base near the town of Farkhor in Tajikistan and is operated by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Tajik Air Force.
- India’s role in Farkhor started with its extensive support to the anti-Taliban Afghan Northern Alliance.
- The Air Base became fully operational in 2006, and India has stationed MiG-29 fighters and trainer aircraft there.
- Farkhor is India’s first military base outside its territory.