India issues Indian Ocean NOTAM for possible long-range missile test

India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts a 2,530‑kilometre corridor over the Indian Ocean on 6–7 August 2026. The advisory, which applies from the surface to unlimited altitude, is intended to keep civilian aircraft and ships clear of the area during a planned defence activity.

Analysts say the NOTAM likely signals a test of a long‑range missile, possibly an advanced version of the Agni series, the K‑4 submarine‑launched ballistic missile, or another strategic system under development. Launches of this type are usually conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Strategic Forces Command overseeing the operation. Security forces from the Indian Navy and Air Force are expected to monitor the corridor.

The move follows earlier NOTAMs in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and has drawn attention from neighbouring countries and the broader international community, given the strategic implications of a new long‑range missile capability.