#1 Unravelling Secretive Military Infrastructure in Myanmar's Coco Island groups

This blog is from the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin. Read all the editions here.

The Backstory

Recent satellite images show that there has been significant military development in the Coco Islands groups. The Coco Islands are popular due to their strategic location, which is directly in line with the Malacca Strait, a vital point for global oil supply routes from the Gulf to the South East and India's key defence establishments to the West. Also, the islands are only 54km from the Indian Military base in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Chinese Military is believed to be monitoring the Indian Naval base Visakhapatnam, DRDO's Integrated Test Range facility in Balasore District of Odisha, and more importantly, activities in Malacca Strait through a signal intelligence facility on the island. Having a signal post nearby and a direct line of sight is essential for signal intelligence and eavesdropping on conversations from the other side. Satellite images show a noticeable military presence in different parts of Coco Island groups, including - Slipper Island, Table Island, Great Coco Island, Jerry Island, and Little Coco Island. It's important to note that Little Coco Island is located on the Little Coco Reef, while the other four islands are situated on the Great Coco Reef.

Read the full edition here.