As part of measures to enhance surveillance of crucial shipping lanes, the Navy on Tuesday established a new naval detachment at Androth islands of Lakshadweep.
“Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands occupy 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 strengthen maritime security and stability,” Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, said after inaugurating the facility. Naval officials said the detachment would extend the naval presence at Androth Island, part of the Lakshadweep & Minicoy group of islands in the Arabian Sea, provide communication network connectivity with mainland, enable Sea Lanes of Communication monitoring and function as an observance and reporting post, besides radar surveillance.
As part of larger measures the naval detachment at Kavaratti was commissioned as a naval establishment, INS Dweeprakshak, in 2012.
A number of infrastructure facilities at naval units located on Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti and Androth islands are also being progressively upgraded, the officials added.
