Missile test off Odisha coast likely: India issues NOTAM; declares 1400 km over Bay of Bengal as no-fly zone

India has declared a temporary no-fly zone covering a large stretch of the Bay of Bengal for three days next month, indicating a likely missile test off the Odisha coast between December 6 and December 8.

According to reports by India Today, the NOTAM blocks air and maritime movement over a span of nearly 1,480 km, and will remain active from 12:30 UTC on December 6 until 15:30 UTC on December 8.

It is worth noting that such a measure is part of standard safety protocols ahead of major strategic trials, and such advance notices are routinely issued to keep commercial traffic away from test corridors.

Further, NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) are mandatory advisories issued to pilots, air traffic controllers and airlines whenever flight paths may be affected by military activity, technical disruptions or temporary restrictions.

Odisha’s Coast Continues To Anchor Major Trials

Although the fresh NOTAM does not explicitly name the launch location, the Bay of Bengal test window aligns with India’s established pattern of launching strategic weapons from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur in Balasore district.

Earlier this year, the site hosted multiple high-profile trials, including short-range ballistic missiles and advanced air defence systems.

In July, India conducted back-to-back tests of Prithvi-II and Agni-I from Chandipur under the Strategic Forces Command. Both systems achieved their stated parameters, reinforcing the ITR’s central role in India’s strategic programme. Odisha again drew attention in September when the Agni Prime, an upgraded variant in the Agni series, was test-fired from a specially engineered rail-based platform.

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Broader Military Activity Alongside NOTAM Alerts

The fresh Bay of Bengal alert comes amid a string of NOTAMs issued by India this month. An earlier advisory was released for an Indian Air Force exercise in Rajasthan, near the Pakistan frontier, from December 3 to 6, as per NDTV reports.

Another recent alert covered the Northeast during a large-scale Air Force drill along the borders with China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh.