The Indian Armed Forces conducted a high-altitude weapons test on Friday, prompting a temporary closure of airspace over the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to a report by PTI, the airspace was shut for three hours starting at 7 a.m. IST, with another closure scheduled for the same time on Saturday, May 24.
A senior official from the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) confirmed the operation, stating:
“Like today, the airspace over and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be closed tomorrow for three hours (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.). We have already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on May 16 and instructed that no civilian aircraft will be allowed to fly over Andaman on May 23 and May 24.”
Details of the Test and Airspace Restriction
According to the NOTAM, the restricted air corridor stretches up to 500 km and is effective between 01:30 and 04:30 UTC (7 a.m. to 10 a.m. IST) on both days. While the nature of the weapon tested has not been disclosed, it is confirmed to be a high-altitude test, consistent with previous exercises conducted in the area.
The official added:
“We have successfully done a high-altitude weapon test today and tomorrow a similar test will be done. This is a routine practice here in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as we have done similar tests in the past also.”
Strategic Significance
The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), headquartered in Port Blair, is India’s only tri-services command, integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single command structure. The islands’ location at the mouth of the Malacca Strait makes them a crucial node for monitoring and securing maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean Region.
This airspace closure and weapon testing highlight India’s continued focus on strengthening its strategic deterrence and operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
