India has issued a NOTAM over the Bay of Bengal from February 5 to 6. Civilian flights will not be allowed in the area during this time. The restricted zone is very large and may stretch about 2,530 kilometres. This suggests a long-range military test is likely. No official details about the system have been shared yet.
What the NOTAM Means and Why It Has Been Issued
A NOTAM is a safety notice that authorities send to pilots and airlines to tell them that they will close a certain part of the sky for a short time. During this period, civilian aircraft cannot fly through that area. Authorities mainly issue such notices to protect people, especially when they test missiles, military aircraft, or drones. Even when tests go as planned, parts of the equipment can fall back into the sea or airspace, which could be dangerous.
By clearing the airspace, authorities make sure that no passenger or cargo plane comes near the test zone. This prevents accidents and also allows the military to carry out its work without worrying about civilian flights. Authorities have issued similar NOTAMs many times in the past before major defence exercises or during tense situations, so they treat them as a normal part of planning.
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The current notice will remain in force on February 5 and 6. Once it becomes active, air traffic controllers guide commercial flights around the restricted area, and airlines slightly change their routes. The large size of the restricted zone, about 2,530 kilometres, has drawn attention because it suggests a long-range test, which authorities usually conduct over the sea to avoid any risk to people on land.
The Bay of Bengal and the Large Test Area
The Bay of Bengal has become an important area for such tests because it is wide, open, and away from busy air routes. This makes the area suitable for testing systems that need to travel long distances safely. For February 5–6, authorities have marked a zone to support a test that could cover around 2,530 kilometres. This does not mean the system will land exactly at that distance, but it shows the large scale of the operation being planned.
In December, authorities issued a similar notice for another test over the same region. That earlier notice covered an even longer stretch of about 3,240 kilometres, showing that India conducts long-range trials regularly.
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Teams plan such tests carefully. Authorities warn ships and aircraft to stay away from certain areas to protect fishermen, cargo vessels, and passenger flights. While officials have not confirmed what they will test this time, the size of the area suggests the use of a strategic system. It is also important to note that a NOTAM does not always mean a test will happen on that exact day, as weather or technical issues can cause delays.
How Such Notices Help Keep Civilians Safe
The main purpose of a NOTAM is to keep people safe. When a missile or any fast-moving military object launches, it travels at very high speed, and even small falling parts can cause danger. By keeping civilian aircraft away from the area, authorities greatly reduce the risk of accidents.
In the past, authorities used similar notices during tense periods or before major military activities to make sure passenger planes stayed out of sensitive zones. Many countries now follow this as a standard safety practice.
Once authorities issue a NOTAM, airlines and pilots must follow it. They cannot fly into the restricted airspace. Air traffic controllers update their systems and plan new routes for the short period of restriction. Most passengers notice little change, except that some flights take slightly longer routes.
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This system also helps the military. With no civilian aircraft in the area, teams can focus fully on the test and track the object using radar, ships, and aircraft without worrying about civilian traffic.
The current NOTAM over the Bay of Bengal follows this normal process. It shows that authorities are taking careful steps before a major activity. For now, officials have confirmed only that they will restrict a large area of airspace from February 5 to February 6. The size of the corridor suggests a long-range activity, but officials have not shared details about the system or launch platform.