Sri Vijaya Puram, October 21: The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has warned mariners and airmen to remain outside a designated exercise zone near Sri Vijaya Puram as a three-day aerial firing exercise continues in the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The command issued a Notice to Mariners and Airmen (NOTMAR), directing vessels and aircraft to avoid the specified area between 10 am and 12.30 pm from October 20 to 22. The advisory comes amid military aerial activity in the region, although the ANC has not disclosed the exercise’s operational details.
According to sources, the exercise could involve assets from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, including fighter aircraft equipped with cannons, missiles and rockets. However, the command has not officially confirmed the participating platforms or weapons systems.
The ANC, India’s only tri-services command, integrates personnel and assets from the Army, Navy and Air Force, alongside the Coast Guard. It routinely conducts localised firing exercises to assess operational capabilities and defence preparedness around the archipelago, approximately 1,200 kilometres from mainland India.
Previous exercises in the region have involved weapons systems such as the BrahMos and Crystal Maze 2 missiles, along with Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.
An official said aerial platforms from mainland bases also participate in such drills, allowing the armed forces to test different weapons systems and operational capabilities.
Sources said Su-30MKI fighters operate rotationally from Air Force Station Car Nicobar and INS Utkrosh. Both installations have undergone runway extensions and modernisation to support heavy fighter operations.
These aircraft also conduct long-range maritime patrols near the Six Degree Channel and Strait of Malacca in coordination with friendly air forces.
Naval MiG-29K fighters participate in regional exercises with support from Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems, while mid-air refuelling forms another component of military training.
The Navy also deploys P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft in the region. These platforms carry missiles and torpedoes and contribute to maritime surveillance operations.
According to the official, coordination among participating forces forms an important component of these exercises, which also provide opportunities to develop specialised operational skills.
The ongoing exercise forms part of the command’s military training activities in the island region. For mariners and airmen, the immediate requirement remains compliance with the notified restrictions during the specified exercise hours.
