Andaman airspace shut for weapon test, another set for tomorrow

The skies over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were closed for three hours on Friday morning to conduct a high-altitude weapon test, a senior official from the Union Territory told news agency PTI. Airspace restrictions were in place from 7 am to 10 am, and a similar closure is scheduled for the same time on Saturday.

"Just like today, the airspace around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be closed tomorrow from 7 am to 10 am," the official confirmed.

The airspace closure had been planned well in advance. “A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued on May 16,” the official said, “instructing that no civilian aircraft would be permitted to fly over the region on May 23 and May 24.”

The restricted zone spans an area roughly 500 kilometers in length and is active from 01:30 to 04:30 UTC (7 am to 10 am IST) on both days.

Friday’s test was successful, the official confirmed. “We successfully conducted a high-altitude weapon test today, and another is scheduled for tomorrow. This is a routine exercise for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—we’ve carried out similar tests here in the past.”

The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is India’s only tri-service command, incorporating the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

While officials have not disclosed the specific weapon tested on Friday, the last major trial in the region took place in December 2022. At that time, the Indian Air Force fired an extended-range version of the BrahMos air-launched missile. The missile, launched from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet, struck a naval target in the Bay of Bengal with precision, meeting all mission objectives.

Developed by BrahMos Aerospace—a joint venture between India and Russia—the BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from land, sea, air, or underwater platforms.