India's Andaman and Nicobar Command guards the world's most vital maritime shipping choke point.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located at the gateway to the Far East, the Andaman and Nicobar Command serves as India's strategic sentinel. By monitoring the Six Degree and Ten Degree Channels, this tri-services command oversees a critical maritime corridor where over 94,000 merchant ships transit annually, carrying nearly half of the world's freight trade.

Established in 2001, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is an integrated tri-services military organization based at Sri Vijaya Puram. Its creation followed recommendations from the Group of Ministers report on Reforming the National Security System after the 1999 Kargil War. The command is designed to safeguard India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia, specifically the Strait of Malacca, which connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and the Pacific. This region is a vital artery for the global economy, as 90% of global trade travels via sea lines of communication.

The archipelago's geography provides India with a significant geostrategic advantage. The islands are situated near major shipping routes, including the Six Degree Channel, which acts as a convergence point for trade from the Cape of Good Hope, the Gulf of Aden, and the Straits of Hormuz. To maintain security, the ANC utilizes a sophisticated array of assets, including the Integrated Coastal Surveillance System, which forms a radar-based electronic fence, and a network of passive underwater sonar arrays designed to track foreign submarines. The command also coordinates with international partners through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) to ensure freedom of navigation.

Beyond surveillance, the ANC is undergoing a rapid expansion of its hard power capabilities. By 2020, the command began integrating ship-based nuclear missile systems and Landing Platform Docks to bolster deterrence. The naval component, the largest of the three services, operates a diverse fleet including Kora-class corvettes and Saryu-class patrol vessels. Furthermore, the command maintains critical infrastructure like floating dry-docks capable of lifting 40,000-tonne vessels, ensuring that the fleet can remain operational without needing to return to the Indian mainland for maintenance. As of 1 June 2026, Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty serves as the 20th Commander-in-Chief of the ANC.

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