The state-of-the-art aircraft were brought around the cost of over Rs 4,500 crore.
A special 'Air India One' aircraft built in America for the Prime Minister and President of the country arrived in India on October 1, 2020. Teams of Air India engineers and pilots of the Indian Air Force fly the Boeing-777 equipped with both missile defence systems from the US.
Although Air India would receive the plane, it will be operated by IAF. It has its own missile defence system, called the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS) besides the state-of-the-art communication system.
The state-of-the-art aircraft were brought around the cost of over Rs 4,500 crore.
1. Non-stop flight
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In a break from over a decade long practice, an Indian Prime Minister is not making a stopover in Frankfurt en-route to the US. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plane--Air India One-- is not making a stopover in Frankfurt, as has been the case in the past, as he reaches the US for the Quad summit in Washington and United Nations General Assembly address in New York.
The key reason for the development is the new capabilities of the Air India One.
2. Emblem and National Flag
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Air India One' has the Ashok Emblem on one side 'Bharat' in Hindi and 'INDIA' in English on the other side. 'Air India One's tail has the India National Flag painted.
3. Interior
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The aircraft has a conference room inside, a cabin for VVIP passengers, a medical centre as well as seats for other dignitaries and staff. Once refuelled, this aircraft will be able to fly continuously for 17 hours.
4. Warfare suits
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The aircraft features advanced electronic warfare suits which will not only prevent the aircraft from attack but also retaliate at the time of the attack. This will be the first Indian aircraft to be equipped with Self-Protection Suits (SPS) that can also jam the enemy's radar signals and also divert the direction of nearby missiles.
5. Twin engines
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Like the Air Force aircraft, these new aircraft will also have an unlimited range of flying, which can travel around the world at once. The plane will also be able to refuel mid-air in the event of an emergency. The 'Air India One' with twin GE90-115 engines can fly at a maximum speed of 559.33 mph.
