Planes, warships ready

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, April 3

Some 100 pilots, about 60 planes and copters, five medical teams and six warships are on standby to tackle the needs arising out of the Covid pandemic. The Army deployed a unit of doctors in aid of the Delhi Administration on Friday.

From the Indian Air Force, 28 fixed wing planes, some of them capable of lifting 70 tonnes or some 300 men in one sortie, and 21 helicopters are on standby at various locations. Some of these copters can fly up to 19,000 feet to drop supplies or pick up patients in the Himalayas. Also, the Navy has committed its fixed wing asset and copters.

Six naval warships are kept ready for assistance to neighbouring countries. Five medical teams of the forces are also on standby for deployment in Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

Some 1,300 persons are lodged in six quarantine facilities, officials said.