Two VVIP custom-made Boeing 777-300 ERs will be flown from the US to India, to serve as new improved aircraft for PM Modi, President and other top dignitaries. By Tanvi Jain
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Senior Air India officials along with some Central Government officials have recently left for the United States to receive two VVIP custom-made Boeing 777-300 ERs, which will serve as ‘Air India One’ and will be used to fly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and other top Indian dignitaries.
“Contingents of Air India, IAF, govt officials and security personnel leave for the US to collect VVIP aircraft ‘Air India One’,” ANI recently tweeted.
As per the officials, the said planes which were earlier due for July were postponed due to COVID-19 and were later likely to be received in September. “Two custom-made B777 aircraft, which will be used to fly PM Narendra Modi and other top Indian dignitaries, are likely to be delivered by Boeing to Air India by September, say, officials,” PTI had tweeted earlier in June this year.
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Moreover, as per media reports, both the aircraft will be piloted by IAF pilots and not Air India pilots, unlike Air India’s B747 planes flown by Air India pilots, which have the call sign ‘Air India One’, and are currently used to fly the PM, the President and the Vice President.
The new B777 will reportedly have Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS) — state-of-the-art missile defence systems. It will also feature Advanced Electronic Warfare Suites not just to protect itself from any attack – both on the surface as well as in the air — but to also take countermeasures.
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The sale of these two missile defence systems was approved by the United States back in Feb 2019. “According to the Pentagon, the sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship,” various media reports had then suggested.
Earlier in June, PTI had mentioned in its report saying, “In February, the US agreed to sell the two defence systems to India at a cost of USD 190 million. The Centre has already initiated the process of divestment of its stake in Air India, which has a debt of over INR 60,000 crore. However, the process has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Related: Virgin Atlantic To Operate These Many Flights Between India & UK From September 2
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