India Issues NOTAM for Strategic Activities in Bay of Bengal

India's NOTAM Announcement

India has once again issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) for a designated area in the Bay of Bengal near Visakhapatnam. This notification will be effective from December 22 to December 24, indicating a restricted airspace during this period. Reports suggest that the notified testing corridor spans approximately 3,240 kilometers, hinting at a long-range strategic operation.

The issuance of this NOTAM has sparked speculation that India may be preparing for a sea-based missile test. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the missile system or launch platform involved. Defense analysts indicate that such notifications are routinely issued prior to significant strategic tests conducted at sea to ensure safety and coordination.

Previous NOTAM Issued

Earlier, on December 11, a similar NOTAM was issued for an area of 3,550 kilometers over the Bay of Bengal, effective from December 17 to December 20.

Understanding NOTAM

A NOTAM is issued when it is necessary to keep a specific airspace clear of civilian air traffic. Similar notices have been released during previous tensions with Pakistan to ensure that passenger aircraft do not get caught in potential military operations. This helps keep commercial flights away from areas of military activity, thereby preventing civilian casualties.

Purpose of NOTAM

Once a NOTAM is issued, no civilian aircraft are allowed to operate in the designated airspace. This allows military jets, missiles, and drones to operate freely without the risk of collision. The absence of civilian flights also ensures the safety of non-combatants.