The Navy on Tuesday commissioned a new naval detachment at Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the city-based Southern Naval Command, inaugurated the unit.
The detachment will extend the naval presence at Androth Island, provide communication connectivity with the mainland, enable sea lanes of communication (SLOC) monitoring and function as an observance and reporting organisation, besides facilitating radar surveillance, the Navy said in a press release.
The officer-in-charge of the detachment is Lt Cdr Angom B Singh, who will function under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep and Minicoy Island).
Vice Admiral Luthra said that Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands occupied a strategic location in the Arabian Sea. “A number of shipping lanes pass close to these islands. Setting up of a naval detachment at Androth Island will enhance the Navy’s reach and surveillance, and contribute significantly to strengthening maritime security and stability,” he said.
