Andaman and Nicobar Command

Strategic Importance of ANC According to the International Hydrographic Organization's (IHO) definitions of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N) fall on the maritime boundary of these two. Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to the north and west of A&N falls within the Bay of Bengal and to east of A&N falls within the Andaman Sea. Various straits (narrow passages in the sea, also called the channels) in A&N are officially part of Andaman Sea, rather than the Bay of Bengal, connect the two and shipping routes beyond. The Ten Degree Channel (also called Great or Grand Channel) within India's EEZ is world's busiest shipping trade route which also connects to the very narrow and contiguous Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait. This route is considered world's biggest strategic choke point. India and allies could potentially impose a blockade in case of dispute with China whose economy significantly depends on the export trade through this route. Safety, security and freedom of navigation in this area are vital for the global economy. This area is part of the much larger Indian Ocean region through which 90% of the world's trade passes, which in turn is part of the larger Indo-Pacific region which hosts most of the global maritime trading activity. Control over vital global shipping route The zone of influence of the ANC has deep significance in terms of history, culture, religion, economy and trade, EEZs, political and international relations, national security, safety and freedom of navigation of power projection of not only India but also other nations of South Asia and Southeast Asia as well as the $3 trillion in international trade which passes through the south Andaman Sea. ANC influence over the gateway to the Far East includes the Six Degree Channel and the Ten Degree Channel in the Indian EEZ in the Bay of Bengal, which is connected to the Strait of Malacca. These are crossed by over 94,000 merchant ships every year carrying world's 40% freight trade to and from China, South Korea and Japan. Andaman and Nicobar Islands account for 0.2% of India's land and 30% of its exclusive economic zone. Sea lines of communication (SLOC) carry more than 90% of global trade. Control over critical shipping chokepoints Since this area in Indian EEZ and ANC influence zone connects Indian Ocean with South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, the safety of Malacca strait is paramount to the economies of numerous countries. Both USA and Russia support the freedom of navigation. However, China's activities in this region continues cause concern among several nations. Shallow, congested and narrow archipelagic chokepoints in the influence zone of ANC are Straits of Malacca and Lombok Strait to and from South China Sea. India is bolstering military capabilities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands by placing ship-based nuclear missile system as deterrence and a fleet of naval warships with Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) by 2020. QUAD force multiplier The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), a strategic dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and USA, is aimed at countering the risk posed to the trade and security of navigation and nations in and around this region. QUAD nations continue to hold regular military exercise in the ANC influence area, such as Exercise Malabar (see also US-Philippines Annual Balikatan Exercise). Aimed at countering China's activities in Indo-Pacific, to ensure "free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region ... and maintaining open, safe and efficient sea lanes for transportation and communication", India and Australia signed a military treaty for Mutual Logistics Support and interoperability for reciprocal access to military bases. India-Australia Military Pact paves the way for extending their regional reach through coordinated power projection and mutual use of military facilities in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Australia's Cocos Island. Historic and contemporary geostrategic soft and hard power , which also included Andaman and Nicobar as an important staging area were spread across Indonesia and Malaysia (Srivijaya, Majapahit, Gangga Negara, Kalingga, Kutai, Singhasari, Tarumanagara and Pan Pan), Malaysia (Langkasuka), Thailand (Dvaravati), Indochina (Champa, Funan, and Chenla), and Myanmar (Pagan). The area in and around ANC influence zone is part of historic Greater India which was dotted with numerous Indianised Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms. Since 45-47 CE, several ancient Indian empires, such as the Chola, Chalukya, Kalinga [modern Odisha] and Andra traded and exerted Indian cultural influence over Southeast Asia through the Malacca Strait. India's Tillangchong island (north of Camorta Island in Nicobar) is just 440 km from Thailand's Ko Huyong (Similan Islands group). India's Campbell Bay on Great Nicobar Island is 488 km from Thailand's Ko Racha (Racha Noi Island in Phuket Province). Campbell Bay is also 630 km from Malaysia's nearest island ,Langkawi. Port-development led encirclement To enhance regional connectivity, trade, safety, security, and to protect the Strait of Malacca channel, Sittwe Port as part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar and Sabang deepsea port under the India–Indonesia strategic military and economic partnership. Along with India's Sagar Mala projects aimed at developing several coastal ports in India, India is also considering developing more ports in the influence zone of ANC, such as the Dawei Port Project. Protection of exclusive economic zone The region suffers from the problem of piracy. There was a consideration to replace Fortress Commander, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (FORTAN) with a Far Eastern Naval Command (FENC). The previous plan to set up FENC was set in motion in 1995 following a closed-door meeting in Washington between then Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao, and then US president, Bill Clinton. At the time, Pentagon officials made a formal request to the United Front coalition government in New Delhi to open a base in the islands. Post Kargil war rapid capabilities expansion In 1999, after the Kargil War, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands received more attention. A joint command at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would help in to prevent smuggling, piracy, drug and gun trafficking, poaching and illegal immigration in the region and especially in the Malacca Strait. The command would also be in a position to assist the multinational Malacca Straits Security Initiative, aimed at curbing threats in the Malacca Straits. An Indian command in the islands could also counter any future threat from China, which was rumoured to have set up a surveillance post in Myanmar's Coco Islands, 40 km off the northern tip of the Andamans, but this was proved incorrect. ==Summary of bases and capabilities ==

The following are the air and naval bases under the A&N command, from north to south, some of which are being upgraded under 2027 roll-on plan. By 2020, India is placing ship-based nuclear missile system, fleet of naval warships and Landing Platform Docks (LPDs). ==Force structure==

. Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command The Andaman and Nicobar Command is commanded by a three-star officer (rank of Lieutenant General of the Indian Army or equivalent) who reports directly to the chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in New Delhi. The chief of staff of the command is a two-star officer; each component (sea, land, air) is commanded by a one-star officer. The command is currently headed by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, who took command on 1 October 2025 as the 19th CINCAN. Chief of staff The following is a list of chiefs of staff of the A&N command. Assets Ram Nath Kovind, with Lt Gov Adm D. K. Joshi (Retd.) and CINCAN Lt Gen Manoj Pande, at the Joint Services Operational Demonstration by the Integral combat platforms and forces of Andaman and Nicobar Command, at Radhanagar beach, Swaraj Dweep, Andaman and Nicobar in February 2021. The Naval Component is the largest component and is commanded by a Commodore (one star officer). Naval vessels in the component include missile corvettes, amphibious warfare vessels, landing crafts, offshore patrol vessels (OPV) and fast attack crafts (FAC). INS Karmuk and INS Kulish, two Kora-class corvettes were re-based to Port Blair from Eastern Naval Command on 6 April 2016 and 21 December 2017 respectively. INS Saryu and INS Sumedha, two Saryu-class patrol vessels, have been based at Port Blair since 2013. In addition, four Bangaram-class patrol vessels, two Car Nicobar-class patrol vessels,'''' one Trinkat-class patrol vessel, three Kumbhir-class tank landing ships, one Shardul''-class tank landing ship, eight Mk. IV LCUs and the SDB Mk.3 large patrol craft are also deployed under the naval component. INAS 318 with Dornier 228 and Flight 321 are deployed at INS Utkrosh. In 2015, it was reported that under the overall "island development plan", which includes a new naval air station at Campbell Bay, the existing runways at Campbell Bay and Shibpur are to be extended, while more airstrips are proposed in the archipelago and more operational turn-around bases. In addition, Japanese war bunkers, constructed during Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar islands during the World War II, will be revived to bolster security. == Operations ==

Unilateral security and anti-piracy initiatives The Andaman and Nicobar Command manages Indian engagement with regional navies of Southeast Asia. It conducts bi-annual coordinated patrols (CORPATs) with the navies of Thailand and Indonesia, the annual SIMBEX maritime exercises with Singapore, and the biennial Milan multilateral naval exercises. The Command also patrols India's exclusive economic zone to suppress gun running, narcotics smuggling, piracy, and poaching, and conducts maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Unilateral war exercises In April 2016, the command conducted an amphibious exercise called 'Jal Prahar' to check readiness and to ensure functional integrity of all three services on the islands. Ships, aircraft and troops along with tanks from both the Eastern Naval Command and Andaman & Nicobar Command participated in the exercise. Defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Exercise (DANX-17) was conducted during 20–24 November 2017. Additional forces including Jaguar fighters, 50th Parachute Brigade, missile frigates and C-130 Hercules heavy lift aircraft also participated in the exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to practice the defence of the island chain and recapturing islands. Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 For the effort to search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the commander-in-chief Andaman and Nicobar Command was nominated as the Overall Force Commander of the Indian forces. Surface and airborne assets from the Andaman and Nicobar Command took part in the effort. The ANC command contributed navy ships INS Saryu, INS Kesari and INS Kumbhir, and coast guard vessels ICGS Kanaklata Baruah, ICGS Bhikaji Cama and ICGS Sagar. Eastern Naval Command (ENC) also contributed Shivalik-class frigates INS Satpura and , and patrol vessel INS Batti Malv. For aerial maritime surveillance, the ANC command dedicated two navy Boeing P-8I Neptunes, coast guard Dornier 228, and Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from Port Blair, and navy Dornier 228 from Car Nicobar. along with air force Mil Mi-17 from ENC. ==See also==