INS Jatayu, India’s new naval base in Lakshadweep, will help combat piracy, security threats better

INS Jatayu commissioned at Minicoy, enhancing Indian Navy's operational reach in Lakshadweep for anti-piracy and anti-narcotics efforts.

In a bid to strengthen the operational prowess of the Indian Navy within the strategically vital Lakshadweep Islands, a new naval base, named ‘INS Jatayu’, was commissioned at Minicoy on March 6.

Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, which straddles the vital sea lines of communications.

Naval Detachment INS Jatayu, which will boost operational reach and facilitate the Indian Navy's operational effort towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea, was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar.

INS Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. It has been commissioned under the command of Commandant Vrat Baghel.

Addressing the gathering at Minicoy after the commissioning of INS Jatayu, Admiral Hari Kumar said the unit was named after the mythical creature in the epic Ramayana who tried to stop the abduction of Sita. "In the Ramayana, Jatayu was the 'first responder', trying to stop the abduction of Sitaji, even to the peril of his own life, exemplifying service before self. So the naming of this unit as Jatayu is an apt recognition of this spirit of providing security surveillance and selfless service," he said.

The navy chief said that the information Jatayu relayed to Lord Ram provided crucial situational awareness, leading to the successful quest that followed. "Similarly, we expect that this unit will provide situational awareness to the Indian Navy in maintaining good maritime domain awareness of the entire region. INS Baaz to the east in the Andamans and now the INS Jatayu in the west will serve as eyes and ears to the Navy to safeguard our national interest," he said.

He said it was crucial to recognise the pressing need for heightened surveillance amidst the prevailing geopolitical developments, which underscores the strategic significance of Lakshadweep to India.