India plans to build a new airfield at the Minicoy Islands there that will be able to handle both military and commercial aircraft, including fighter jets, in addition to promoting the Lakshadweep islands for tourism.
“The plan is to have a joint airfield that would be capable of operating fighter jets, military transport planes and commercial aircraft,” government sources said.
Even though the proposals have been moved to the government for developing this new airfield in the Minicoy Islands in the past too, this plan of having a joint-use defence airfield has been revived in recent times and is being actively progressed, they informed.
From the military point of view, the airfield would give India a strong capability as it can be used as a base to keep an eye on the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region.
The Indian Coast Guard was the first force under the Defence Ministry to suggest the development of an airstrip in the Minicoy Islands. As per the present proposal, the Indian Air Force would be in the lead to run the operations from Minicoy.
The airport at Minicoy would also give the defence forces the capability to extend their area of surveillance in the Arabian Sea. The airport at Minicoy would also provide a boost to tourism in the region, as has been planned by the government.