India’s Navy set up a new naval airbase – its third – on the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean. The base – INS Kohassa, was inaugurated by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in the presence of senior Navy commanders and government officials. Lanba said that the airbase will enhance the operational preparedness of the Navy.
The new base is located on the northernmost tip of the island chain, and Lanba added that “the close proximity of Coco Islands, Myanmar, and the wide expanse of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone make the base a very vital asset.” India has ramped up its defense installations in the Andaman and Nicobar islands near the Strait of Malacca through which 70 percent of merchant vessels pass. The region is important for the Indian Navy’s plan to consolidate its control in the Indian Ocean Region.
Named after a white-bellied sea eagle endemic to Andaman and Nicobar islands, the station currently operates:
- the surveillance of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone
- Search and Rescue operations
- Anti-Poaching Missions
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
