INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: The brand new chariot of the skies for Indian President, VP and PM flew into the country on Thursday afternoon straight from
Boeing Defence base in Texas
The Boeing 777 with state-of-the-art communication and defence systems is likely to operate its first VVIP flight next month
An exact replica of this aircraft will also fly home in a few days
For over past 25 years, Boeing 747s of Air India have flown dignitaries across the world as AI One
Now the two B777s will replace the ageing jumbos
Four pilots of Air India flew the B777 non-stop from Fort Worth, Texas, to Delhi, covering a distance of about 13,000 km in just over 15
It touched down at IGI Airport at 3.11 pm
AI has deployed 10 to 15 of its most experienced B777 pilots for operating the two VVIP aircraft that cut about Rs 8,500 crore
Now IAF will be doing the same with the new B777s
AI Engineering will be maintaining the two planes
Two hangars will be built at Palam technical side for the new aircraft
India One will be the most modern and sophisticated VVIP aircraft in the world
Two old jumbo jets currently operate as the US Air Force One
Boeing is working on the replacements for these two planes which are likely to be ready soon
The two Boeing 777-300 extended range (ER) aircraft for Indian VVIPs are retrofitted with advanced security systems to jam and defeat
hostile incoming missiles and encrypted communication facilities
self-protection suites (SPS) in the US
These security systems alone have cost Rs 1,365 crore in the FMS (foreign military sales) deal inked with the US government
The LAIRCM-SPS protects large aircraft from shoulder-fired and intermediate range missiles
It increases crew-warning time, decreases false alarm rates and automatically counters hostile missiles
Advanced electronic counter-measures on board the aircraft will be able to jam enemy radars, along with defence systems geared to shoot
metal chaff or flares to throw off-track radar-guided or heat-seeking missiles
Unlike the jumbos that need a stopover in Europe while flying between India and the Americas, the new aircraft can fly non-stop for over 17
They have been customised to have big cabins with bedrooms for the VVIP passengers, apart from a mini hospital, conference room and seats
for accompanying officials
WatchCustom-made first VVIP aircraft 'Air India One' arrives in India
