INVC NEWS
New Delhi : India is ready to take a big step towards its maritime expansion in the Indian Ocean. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth launched the much-awaited Agalega airstrip and a jetty. The Agalega airstrip as well as the jetty will not only give maritime domain awareness to both Mauritius and India, but will also allow operational turnaround for Indian Navy warships on missions along the eastern seaboard of Africa as well as the South West Indian Ocean.
Boeing P-8I multimission aircraft can land on the airstrip. The airstrip is 3 km long and can also handle heavy-lift C-17, medium-lift Il-76 and C-130 Hercules and Boeing P-8I surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
More than 50 Indian Navy officers and personnel are said to be already deployed on the strategic island, and both countries are planning to further increase the number of manpower on Agalega Island. Although official details about these developments are unknown, insiders suggest that the Duqm port facility is already operational, providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Indian ships. Similarly, the airstrip in the Northern Agalega Islands is soon to be operational, which will significantly assist Mauritius’ maritime security efforts, including the protection of its tourism assets.
