Military presence in Lakshadweep to increase with new naval detachment
SECURITY
3 DECEMBER 2025
- In the near future, military presence on the Lakshadweep islands is expected to go up considerably with both the Navy and the Air Force pushing ahead with expansion plans in the strategically located archipelago.
- A new naval detachment is expected to be fully operational by next year on Bitra island, according to the Southern Naval Command (SNC).
- The Air Force is already working on expanding its own facility on Agatti and building a new air base on Minicoy.
- Increased shipping traffic, Chinese interest in the Indian Ocean Region, and the threat of Arabian Sea piracy increases the strategic significance of the Lakshadweep islands from a security perspective.
- In the coming years, the Air Force also hopes to have long-range cargo drones capable of carrying heavy payloads play a vital role in its expansion plans on Lakshadweep.
