India Schedules Missile Test in Bay of Bengal, Issues No-Fly Zone Advisory

SOURCE: AFI

India has announced a missile test in the Bay of Bengal, with a designated no-fly zone in effect from April 12 to April 14, 2025, as part of its ongoing efforts to bolster its strategic defense capabilities. The advisory, issued by the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, covers a 1,245 km-long corridor stretching from Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the purview of the Indian Tri-Service Theatre Command. The test underscores India’s commitment to advancing its missile technology amid growing regional security concerns.

According to the notice, the no-fly zone will be active daily from 0400 UTC to 0430 UTC (9:30 AM to 10:00 AM IST) on April 12, 13, and 14, 2025. The restricted area spans a significant portion of the Bay of Bengal, ensuring safety for maritime and air traffic during the test window. Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, is a key launch site for India’s missile tests, hosting facilities for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The island has been the launchpad for major systems like the Agni series of ballistic missiles and the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

While the specific missile system to be tested has not been disclosed, the scale and location of the test suggest it could involve a long-range ballistic or cruise missile, potentially an advanced variant of the Sub-sonic Cruise missile or a hypersonic weapon under development by the DRDO. The trajectory toward the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a strategic outpost in the Indian Ocean, indicates a focus on testing range, accuracy, and possibly maritime strike capabilities—critical for deterring threats in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly from China’s expanding naval presence.

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