New Delhi: The brand new chariot of the skies for the Indian President, Vice- President and the Prime Minister flew into the country on Thursday afternoon straight Boeing Defence base in the US.

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 25 years now, Boeing 747s of Air India has flown dignitaries across the world as AI- One. They will now be replaced by the two B 777s. Four pilots of Air India flew the B 777 non-stop from Fort Worth, Texas, to Delhi, covering a distance of about 13K Kms in just 15 hours.

It touched down at IGI airport at 3. 11pm. AI has deployed 10 to 15 of its most experienced B 777 pilots to operate the two VVIP aircrafts that costs about Rs. 8, 500 crore. There will be a hybrid model for some time with AI crew operating the planes before IAF personnel are trained ready to take over, said sources. While it is not yet certain what the new VVIP chariot will be called, sources indicate it may be termed ‘India One’. The earlier AI jumbo jets were known as AI One while operating VVIP flights.

Calling the new B 777s Air Force One (as in the US) could lead to confusion and India One is a likely name, said sources. India One will be the most modern and sophisticated VVIP aircraft in the world. It will be retrofitted with advanced security systems to jam and defeat hostile incoming missiles, and encrypted communication facilities. The two widebodied aircrafts, originally delivered to AI in January 2018, are equipped with large aircraft infrared counter measures self protection suites in the US. These security systems alone have cost Rs. 13, 65 crores in the FMS deal inked with US Government.

The LAIRCM- SPS protects large aircrafts from shoulder fired and intermediate range missiles. It increases crew warning time, decreases false alarm rates and automatically counters hostile missiles. The defence system include radar warning receivers, which basically sound an alert if a hostile radar “Paints” the aircraft before letting loose missiles, and missile approach warning systems. Advanced electronic counter measures on board the aircraft will be able to jam enemy radars, along with defence systems geared to shoot metal chopper 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 hours basically they can fly from Delhi non-stop to almost any place on earth. They have been customized to have big cabins with bedrooms for the VVIP passengers, apart from a mini hospital, a conference room and seats for the accompanying officials.