wide section of airspace over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal will be closed to civilian aircraft on May 23 and 24, following a formal NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by Indian authorities, sparking widespread speculation of a planned missile or high-altitude weapons system test.
The move is being interpreted by experts as a significant strategic activity, given the absence of alternate air routes and the scale of altitude restriction—from ground level to unlimited height. The NOTAM, issued on May 16, informs all civilian air operators of a complete airspace shutdown over a 500-km stretch around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. IST on both days. Such extensive restrictions, particularly with no vertical or horizontal exemptions, are often linked to sensitive defence trials that demand clear skies for operational security and public safety.
Though the government has not disclosed the nature of the operation, the specific geographical scope and timing of the closure—early morning hours, often favoured for precision military tests—point towards a high-impact weapons system demonstration. Historical precedent supports this possibility: the region has previously hosted multiple long-range missile tests, including the extended-range BrahMos and air-launched ballistic systems. What differentiates this NOTAM from routine military air drills is the sheer size of the affected zone and the blanket ban across altitudes, which makes it incompatible with lower-risk activities such as aerial surveys or navigation tests. Furthermore, with nine international flight routes directly impacted, the strategic significance of the operation becomes more pronounced, especially in a geopolitically sensitive corridor like the eastern Indian Ocean.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are emerging as a vital frontier in India’s defence architecture. Their location at the mouth of the Malacca Strait makes them a crucial hub for maritime surveillance and force projection. This planned operation is likely tied to New Delhi’s broader efforts to modernise its deterrence capabilities, particularly in light of emerging regional tensions and the push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. While civilian air traffic will temporarily bear the brunt of rerouting or delays, the broader implications of such closures often tie back to national security and defence preparedness. The Indian defence establishment continues to maintain strategic ambiguity about these operations, in line with global norms, but the patterns remain consistent with weapons testing protocols.
The absence of a formal confirmation from defence or scientific agencies does not rule out high-altitude missile activity. In fact, the deliberate silence reinforces the sensitivity of the mission. Civil aviation authorities, meanwhile, have issued standard flight advisories to carriers expected to navigate the region. As India deepens its defence capabilities and asserts its presence in the Indo-Pacific, such episodes are likely to become more frequent. However, they also underscore the need for clearer civilian-military coordination, especially to avoid disruptions in one of the world’s busiest airspaces.
Whether this closure is linked to a routine trial or a more advanced system demonstration, it signals a nation gearing up for a higher degree of strategic autonomy and technological sophistication. The move may also reflect India’s commitment to assertive defence readiness in a rapidly shifting global order.
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