Indian navy to hold MiG tests farther from Goa coast

Indian Navy has agreed to hold its tests on to-be inducted MiG aircrafts `further out at sea', as sonic booms created by the aircraft were causing panic among locals residing near the coast.

"We have noticed the concerns of people and measures have been instituted to carry out the tests," a Naval spokesman said.

Although the tests are held 25 nautical miles off the coast, it is possible that the sonic booms created by the aircraft whilst transiting to supersonic flight have been audible to local populace, he said.

Panic had prevailed among locals living on southern and northern coast of the state February 11 and 16 after they heard "mysterious blasts", as reported earlier.

Later, the state government had clarified that explosions were caused due to the Indian Navy's ongoing tests of Russian made MiG 29K fighter jets to be inducted in the fleet of Indian fighter jets.

Indian Navy today said that they are holding tests in the run up for inducting these aircrafts in the force.

Chief minister Digamber Kamat had requested Indian Navy to conduct the tests little far off the coast as the blasts were creating fear in the locals.