Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and other VVIPs will soon take delivery of two Boeing planes fitted with state-of-the-art missile defence systems, though coronavirus means they will have to wait a little longer for them.

Custom Boeing 777s for VVIPs won’t be delivered in July as expected

The Indian government is waiting to receive two specially modified Boeing 777-300ER planes, previously in service with Air India, for the exclusive use of prime minister Narendra Modi and other top dignitaries.

The original plan was for the planes to be delivered in July, though the Economic Times now reports this has been delayed by a couple of months.

"There has been some delay, primarily because of COVID-19. The two planes are likely to be delivered by September," officials told the newspaper.

Once in service, the two jets will be operated by pilots from the Indian Air Force, and not Air India - though they will be maintained by Air India Engineering Services Limited, a subsidiary of the national flag carrier.

At the moment, Mr Modi and other top brass fly on Boeing 747 aircraft owned by Air India, (which are otherwise used for regular passenger flights) with the call sign ‘Air India One’. Photo credit: UK FCO/ Flickr:




All the bells and whistles

The refitted Boeing 777 planes will be equipped with state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS).

The systems were sold by the US at a cost of USD 190m. On board technology is said to include systems to jam enemy radar frequencies and divert heat-seeking missiles. Just like Air Force One, the new planes will have an unlimited range and are capable of flying around the world in one go.




The following link is a blog/website/social media page in which I have a financial interest. If you click on this link, cookies will be added to your device for an extended period of time and I may gain monetary returns if you follow this link or any other link on the blog/website/social media page.

Source: my blog, Take Off With Guru