Key sentence:
- The second of the two extensively adapted Boeing 777 aircraft will arrive on Saturday in the national capital of Delhi.
- The first aircraft, also designed to offer some luxurious office space and conference rooms.
- India’s first set of devoted aircraft for the three dignitaries is the latest long-haul aircraft.
- The aircraft comes fitted with self-protection suites (SPS) consisting of infrared aircraft countermeasures.
The second of the two extensively adapted Boeing 777 aircraft for the President Ramnath Kovind, the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive on Saturday in the national capital of Delhi, people acquainted with the situation said.
Interior of Air Craft:
The first aircraft, also designed to offer some luxurious office space and conference rooms to the dignitaries landed on 1 October in Delhi.
The two aircraft-Boeing 777-300 ERs-joined the fleet of Air India in 2018 and were sent for customization to a Boeing facility in Dallas.
Air Crafts with Missile:
The two aircraft have missile defence systems that are claimed to be on a par with either the Air Force One of the US President, two similar aircraft of the Boeing 747-200B series that are expected to be replaced in 2024.
It is estimated that the two upgraded Boeing 747s would cost the Pentagon a whopping $4.6 billion (Rs 34,044.6 crore) by the time the next President can fly.
First Devoted Aircraft of India:
India’s first set of devoted aircraft for the three dignitaries is the latest long-haul aircraft, which can fly non-stop to the United States.
For so long, any time either of the three dignitaries had to fly abroad, the government would seize Air India’s aircraft.
After extracting the seats from one component of the aircraft, the state-run airline wound up configuring the aircraft for VVIP travel, creating space for a make-shift office and a sleeping area for the Prime Minister.
The two aircraft were earlier scheduled for delivery in August, but due to what was described as “some operational problems” the date would have to be pushed. Pilots are drawn from Indian Air Force as well as Air India the will fly them.
SPS in aircraft:
The aircraft comes fitted with self-protection suites (SPS) consisting of infrared aircraft countermeasures, integrated smart electronic defence warfare suite, and dispensing device for countermeasures to defend them from inbound missiles.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which told Congress earlier this year of its decision to sell the defence system, estimated the cost at approximately $190 million.
It clarified its decision, stressing that the sale would enhance the capacity of India to deter regional threats and encourage “more robust capabilities in areas of increased missile threat.”
