India issues NOTAM for possible long-range missile test in Bay of Bengal - Check details

Defence analysts note that such notifications are routinely issued ahead of major strategic trials conducted over the sea to ensure safety and coordination.

India has issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a specified area in the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast, indicating a possible missile-related activity. The notification is valid from December 22 to December 24, during which the designated airspace will remain restricted.

Geopolitical expert Damien Symon posted a map showing the area of the NOTAM. According to available details, the notified test corridor is estimated to stretch nearly 3,240 kilometres, pointing to a long-range strategic exercise. While the issuance of the NOTAM has led to speculation about a potential sea-based missile test, there has been no official confirmation regarding the missile system or the launch platform involved.

India issues a notification for a likely missile test in the Bay of Bengal region, range is near 470-km Date | 24 December 2025 pic.twitter.com/TrM8uIo14b

— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) December 18, 2025

Defence analysts note that such notifications are routinely issued ahead of major strategic trials conducted over the sea to ensure safety and coordination. A similar NOTAM was issued earlier on December 11 for a longer corridor of about 3,550 kilometres in the Bay of Bengal, covering the period from December 17 to December 20.

A NOTAM is released when a particular airspace needs to be cleared of civilian air traffic. Similar advisories have been issued in the past during periods of heightened military activity, including times of tension with Pakistan, to prevent civilian aircraft from entering operational zones.

Once a NOTAM is in force, civilian flights are barred from the specified airspace, allowing Air Force aircraft, missiles and drones to operate without the risk of mid-air collisions. The measure also ensures the safety of non-combatants by keeping commercial aviation away from areas of military activity.