Three Navy planes to monitor birds near Goa airport

The Indian Navy on Thursday inducted three microlight "Garud" planes to monitor bird activity near the Dabolim International Airport here, an official statement said.

"The induction of these microlights is aimed at enhancing surveillance on bird activities around the air station and for augmenting preventive measures to neutralize the bird menace which poses a potential hazard in flying operations," a Navy statement said.

Designed and manufactured in Slovenia, the fixed-wing aircraft with low weight, slow landing speed and short landing roll will be stationed at the Indian Navy station (INS) Hansa in south Goa.

These aircraft, besides being used in the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, are also utilized for training in the National Cadet Corps, the statement said.

--IANS

maya/mag/vd