IAF game for extending Agatti airstrip

NEW DELHI, MARCH 9: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has set forth its vote of support on a proposal with the Civil Aviation Ministry seeking to extend and expand the only airstrip on the Lakshadweep islands. An extended runway on Agatti Island, the IAF has said in an official communication to the Defence Ministry, will give its fighters and military transports a 400-km range and logistical advantage in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

The proposal — currently with the Government — is to reclaim land in the 400-metre gap between Agatti Island and the tiny uninhabited Kalpati coral islet nearby, and thereby allow an extension of the tarmac from the current 4,235 feet to approximately 7,000 feet and attendant increase of space from the current 18.36 hectare.

The airstrip is currently only suitable for light Dornier and other aircraft and helicopters. With an extension, that could also include reinforcement of the tarmac and an upgrade of available visual and instrument navigational aids and infrastructure, the airport will be able to handle fighters (for instance, maritime strike Jaguars and Sukhoi-30MKIs from Lohegaon) and heavy transport, both civil and military.

Agatti — the “gateway to Lakshadweep” — is the only island in Lakshadweep that has an aerodrome and passenger handling facilities which receives flights daily from India, and recently by Kingfisher Airlines three times a week. Apart from military logistics utility, better facilities would also bring down civil ticket costs that feed still nascent tourism to islands like Bangaram, Kadmat, Minicoy and Agatti’s own 20-bed resort hotel.

Speaking to The Indian Express, commander of the IAF’s Western Air Command, Air Marshal Padamjit Ahluwalia said, “It will give our fighters and transports a sizeable range advantage in the open ocean. It is now up to the government.” Ahluwalia made his representation on the proposed airstrip extension when he was Southern Air Commander in Tiruvananthapuram in January.

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