New Delhi: Defence Minister AK Antony on Thursday said two Air Force IL-76 heavy-lift transport aircraft would be sent to Libya to evacuate Indian nationals stranded in the trouble-torn country.
"Ministry of Defence has dispatched two naval ships including INS Jalashwa, which can carry more than 1000 passengers. We are also sending two IL-76 there," Antony told reporters after inaugurating a naval seminar here.
Speaking on the occasion, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said the INS Jalashwa would reach the Libyan coast on March 8, and a complement of Marine Commandos (MARCOS) has been deployed on it to ensure the safety of the passengers.
"This is now our standard routine. Whenever we send ships in these areas, we have marine commandos on it for the protection of the ships or for the safety of passengers," he said.
The ship left Mumbai on February 26 along with INS Mysore, a Delhi class destroyer on Operation Blossom -- the name of Navy's exercise to evacuate the Indian citizens from Libya and nearby countries.
Verma said these ships will move people from Tripoli and Benghazi to Malta as they were not meant to ferry passengers for a long distance.
"From there we have an aero-bridge which has started to operate. IAF aircraft are also on standby there," he added.
On the impact of pullout of INS Jalashwa from TROPEX Exercise, Verma said, "We have to curtail Jalashwa's presence. But the exercise went on. I think this is an issue of national priority."
The Jalashwa was part of the TROPEX exercises on western sea-board but was dispatched after it was tasked to evacuate Indian from Libya.
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