On Friday, January 2, 2026, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the upgraded runway at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Car Nicobar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The inauguration underscores India's increasing emphasis on reinforcing its eastern frontier.
CDS General Chauhan arrived at Car Nicobar around 11:30 am and was greeted by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), along with other high-ranking military officials. An official statement confirmed the operational readiness of the upgraded runway and expanded apron facilities, which will facilitate smoother aircraft movement and quicker deployment.
The modernized runway significantly enhances the IAF's operational readiness, enabling faster air operations and supporting long-range firing exercises with minimal turnaround time. The upgraded runway will also support the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS–UDAN), improving civil air connectivity to remote island areas. It will further enhance Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief capability by enabling swift mobilization of resources during natural calamities and emergencies in the earthquake and tsunami-prone region and adjoining areas.
The air base holds critical strategic importance due to its direct oversight of the Malacca Strait, a vital global maritime route for international trade and energy supplies. According to a senior official, the upgraded runway will bolster the eastern front because of its strategic oversight of the Malacca Strait, which serves as a global maritime passage for trade and energy supplies. It will also enhance the IAF's capacity for rapid air operations. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to further enhance India's surveillance and response capabilities in the region.
Car Nicobar, located approximately 535 km from Sri Vijaya Puram, suffered the most damage during the 2004 tsunami. The tsunami forced India to rethink its strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific. The coastline was redrawn, villages erased and haunting “ghost towns” left behind. Car Nicobar, once a site of grief, was rebuilt as a hub of resilience.
The Car Nicobar air base is strategically positioned near the Malacca Strait and acts as a springboard for operations across the Indo-Pacific. The base enables rapid deployment, humanitarian assistance and deterrence against threats to India's maritime security.
During his visit, General Chauhan is also scheduled to inaugurate a new storage facility at the base and pay homage at the Tsunami Memorial. The CDS's visit highlights the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for national security, aligning with the government's 'Act East' policy and the Prime Minister's vision for security and growth in the region. Later, Gen Chauhan interacted with senior officials and highlighted the geostrategic potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The runway at Car Nicobar has been upgraded in major ways: resurfacing and strengthening of the runway; extension of the apron area; and a new taxi track. The whole runway of about 2.7 km in length and 43 m in width has been resurfaced to allow heavier aircraft and more frequent operations. With a larger aircraft apron, multiple aircraft can now be parked, refueled, and turned around faster, thus the operational tempo is getting higher. A new taxi track can also be used as a secondary runway in rescue or very busy situations, thus the base operations become more resilient. Today, the airbase hosts C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, elite paratroopers and advanced.
