The Andaman and Nicobar Command, India's only joint theatre command

Background

The Ministry of Defence describes the Andaman and Nicobar Command as the only operational joint services command of the country, with its Headquarters at Port Blair. A separate Ministry of Defence release headlines it the Tri-Service Andaman & Nicobar Command and calls it India's only joint theatre command. The Ministry records that since its inception in 2001 the Command has significantly enhanced its operational capabilities, and describes it as a successful Integrated Theatre Command of a kind now being planned at the national level. It is headed by the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, abbreviated CINCAN. The ANC Joint Operations Centre is the nerve centre for integrated planning for surveillance, conduct of operations and logistic support. The Command's tasks include the security of the islands and the Exclusive Economic Zone around them and a role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and the Ministry links its work to the Act East Policy and to the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region, abbreviated SAGAR. Its air arm operates from INS Utkrosh at Port Blair, where the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter MK III was inducted.