B777 aircraft for VVIPs
Special for President, Vice President, Prime Minister
The cost of 2 flights is Rs. 8,400 crores
Defense system that can withstand a missile attack
New Delhi: A specially designed B777 aircraft for the President, Vice President and Prime Minister arrived in Delhi from the United States on Thursday. Aircraft maker Boeing was scheduled to deliver the B777 to Air India in July this year, but was delayed by a few weeks due to the Kovid 19. Although it was supposed to be handed over in August, it was postponed for a few more weeks due to some technical issues, government officials said. The B777, operated by Air India One, arrived at Delhi Airport from Texas around 3pm on Thursday, officials said. They said senior Air India officials left for the US in the first half of August to receive a flight from Boeing. In a few days, they revealed that another B777 aircraft would be coming, exclusively for VVIPs.
Both the aircraft were operated by Air India in 2018 for passenger transport. However, they said they were sent to Boeing to make changes to VVIPs’ travel needs. The purchase and modification of these two aircraft cost about Rs. They explained that Rs 8,400 crore was spent. The B777 aircraft have self-defense suits (SPS) along with missile defense systems known as Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures (LIRCM). The United States agreed in February this year to sell the two defense systems to India for $ 190 million. Officials said the B777 would be flown by Indian Air Force pilots rather than Air India pilots while the VVIPs were traveling.
The President, Vice President and Prime Minister are currently using B747 aircraft belonging to India. These are operated by Air India One. Air India Engineering Services Ltd. is responsible for the maintenance of the B777 pilots during the flight of VVIPs. Air India is using B747 aircraft for commercial operations when VVIPs are not traveling. However B777 aircraft are used only for VVIPs.
B777 Plane for VVIP Travel Arrive India from US
