India / What are the features of VVIP aircraft 'Air India One' that arrived in India today?

New Delhi: Two Boeing 777 aircraft, with missile defence systems which will serve on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Air India One’ fleet, will arrive in India today.

The two aircraft were initially scheduled to land in India early 2020 but it was delayed due to “operational issues”.

VIP aircraft Air India One (AI-160) is arriving today at Delhi International Airport, government sources said. The aircraft is equipped with advance and secure communication system which allows availing audio and video communication function at mid-air without being hacked or taped. The newly designed VIP aircraft will be used exclusively for the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister.

#WATCH: VVIP aircraft Air India One that will be used for President, Vice President & PM arrives at Delhi International Airport from US.

It is equipped with advance communication system which allows availing audio & video communication function at mid-air without being hacked. pic.twitter.com/4MtXHi8F9O

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2020

The aircraft flew non-stop 13,000 km from Texas to Delhi and will land in Delhi around 3 pm. The plane, manufactured at Boeing’s facility in Dallas (USA), is retrofitted with advanced military defence systems and a reconfigured cabin. The plane was customised only after a nod from the US State department approval due to its military nature. 

The new aircraft will have advanced defence systems similar to Air Force One, which is considered as the safest plane in the world and is used by the President of the United States.

Here’s all you need to know about the first customised Boeing 777 aircraft:

- The aircraft has its own missile defence system called the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS), which is capable of countering missile threats.

- The two aircraft will be on par with the US President’s Air Force One in terms of security measures.

- The pair can fly between the US and India in one go without having to stop for refuelling.

- The two Boeing 777 aircraft will have the Self-Protection Suites (SPS), which is used in the US President’s Air Force One.

- SPS includes large aircraft infrared countermeasures, counter-measures dispensing system and integrated defensive electronic warfare suite . These protection systems can jam enemy radar frequencies and divert heat-seeking missiles by disturbing their guidance systems.

- This will be India’s first dedicated aircraft for the President, Vice President and Prime Minister - who usually travel via state-run airline, Air India.

- The Boeing 777 aircraft will be operated by Indian Air Force pilots and not by pilots of Air India.

- Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which is a subsidiary of the Indian national carrier, will be maintaining the two new planes.