- Russian state’s ornithology service has long used birds of prey to snare crows
- Now flock of birds have been especially trained to take down hostile drones
- Falcons are better equipped for taking down drones than hawks, a source said
The Kremlin has trained birds of prey to hunt and disable drones controlled by terrorists or foreign spies.
The Russian government’s 45-year-old ornithology service has long used falcons, hawks and eagle-owls to protect against crows.
But now birds have been especially trained to take down hostile drones attempting to penetrate the fortified complex.
The Russian government’s 45-year-old ornithology service has long used falcons, hawks and eagle-owls to protect against crows. Pictured: File photo of a hawk
An unnamed source told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency that falcons are better equipped for taking down drones than hawks.
The source was quoted as saying: ‘The weight [of the hawks] is low, so it is difficult for them to intercept even small drones.’
Holland’s police service had tried a similar program but shelved it due to high costs two years ago, claimed the source.
The Kremlin complex, including the Grand Kremlin Palace, also has weapons specifically for the drone threat.
The Kremlin complex, (file photo) including the Grand Kremlin Palace, also has weapons specifically for the drone threat
Anti-drone guns fitted there are said to be able to shoot down aerial interlopers from 1.6 miles away.
Last year French police were reported to be trialling a scheme using four eagles to intercept drones.
The French authorities were said to be concerned that a terror attack by ISIS or a similar group could use a remotely piloted flying vehicle to drop explosives on landmark targets.