SOURCE: AFI
India has announced two separate missile test windows around the strategically located Andaman & Nicobar Islands, setting the stage for what is believed to be significant military exercises aimed at showcasing and advancing its missile capabilities. The notifications detail testing periods from January 15-17 and January 19-20, 2025, with designated areas where no-fly zones will be enforced to ensure safety and security during these operations.
First Test Window (January 15-17, 2025): Slightly shorter, this test area extends up to 380 kilometers, still a considerable distance for missile operations.
Second Test Window (January 19-20, 2025): This test has a maximum designated length of 405 kilometers, indicating a potentially long-range missile engagement scenario.
Both zones are in the vicinity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago that provides India with a strategic vantage point in the Indian Ocean, particularly near critical maritime routes. Given the maritime environment of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, one of the tests might involve a launch from an Indian Navy warship, demonstrating the missile’s anti-ship capabilities or its land-attack potential from a naval platform.
Another scenario being discussed is the use of an Su-30MKI fighter jet to launch the air version of the BrahMos, known as BrahMos-A. This would not only test the missile’s operational range and accuracy but also highlight the integration and readiness of India’s air forces with this advanced weaponry.