India to invest ₹13K-cr in dual use airport at Great Nicobar Island
Sources said a feasibility study was being conducted to expand the existing airspace at INS Baaz for more robust military purposes but it was not deemed feasible considering the need for significant land reclamation and its impact on flora and fauna.
Defense sources said the GNI project is a strategically important national initiative designed to protect India’s maritime interests and the suggestion that the requirements can only be met through expansion of existing defense assets reflects an incomplete understanding of the nature of maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.
“The runway of INS Baaz has recently been widened to 4,500 ft. Expansion of INS Baaz to the desired 10,000 ft requires significant land reclamation and affects the tribal area, flora and fauna,” sources said. They added that a larger runway was needed to operate large transport and surveillance aircraft as well as fighter jets to protect India’s interests.
Joint User Greenfield and the Naval Air Station at GNI will enhance India’s ability to support operations, respond to crises and maintain logistics from a forward location.
