A brain child of the Kargil Committee, the Andaman Nicobar Command (ANC) –– a joint force of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force –– has finally borne the tag of being a ‘model’ for the Defence Ministry, which is said to be planning to set up more of such commands in the country.
Started as an experiment for the Centre to test for the first time operating all its armed forces, including a Coast Guard unit, from one base with one command, the ANC in October next year will celebrate its 10 years of working as a “single force”.
Addressing a group of visiting journalists from Bangalore, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) Vice Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi while conceding that there were differences in the initial stages of ANC’s creation said: “We’re happy we’ve been able to iron out all differences and are carrying out operations in tandem,”adding that the command has seen tremendous success in working jointly.
He stressed on the fact that going forward, India must adopt this formula through out the country and that the nation is growing in that direction. The Defence Ministry, which is trying to bring all the services under one act – the Tri Services Act – is probably a gesture of this acceptance.
ANC has been conducting many joint operations involving the Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Police, etc, which include operations like patrolling, rescue operations et al.
Further, for the first time in the country, the Centre has set up a tri services training school at Port Blair which is training personnel from all the units together, helping each other in understanding the nuances of the other units, as well as enhancing the ability of operating together.
ANC has also to its name the tag of being a major amphibious warfare hub with training facilities, including a sea-land fighting unit.
Command centre key to counter China
Sitting literally on China’s life line – the Malacca Strait – the ANC command will prove key to countering China’s string of pearls strategy around India. China’s uninterrupted oil/power supply from the Gulf to China needs to pass through the strait before touching Pakistan and Sri Lanka and go towards Bangladesh. While China has already geared up with ports in Chittagong in Bangladesh and a port in Sri Lanka to keep its supplies secure, India is gearing up with an infrastructure boost. Joshi said that the command is looking for expansion, mainly in terms of infrastructure, training, equipment, etc. He said the command will convert its uni-directional air strips into multi-directional all weather strips to get a fighter detachment unit in Carnicobar among other things to check on China.