New Delhi : The idea of the Indian Air Force (IAF) flying the Prime Minister by “Air Force One” alike the United States president has been shelved by Narendra Modi himself.
As usual, it will be always the Air India that will continue to fly the PM whenever he goes abroad.
Two brand new Boeing 777s being procured for the VVIPs will go to the Air India and not IAF. Boeing has been asked to make the new aircraft as per India’s requirements of completely securing the VVIP from hostile missiles or any other threats posed in the operating environment. The aircraft will have advanced security features to deal with all kinds of threats, the officials said.
The IAF, whose communication squadron already flies the PM to various places in India, wanted to take over his foreign flights as well for security reasons. Under the new plan, Air India will fly the PM but the IAF personnel will have full charge of the self-protection suite to be fitted in the new aircraft. The plan was discussed and cleared on Saturday by the Defence Acquisition Council in a meeting here chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that cleared the purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers, worth about USD 750 million, from the US. Unlike the current Air India One pulled out from the regular fleet of the Air India for foreign journeys of the President and the Prime Minister, the new aircraft, fitted with the self-protection suite and state-of-the-art, will ensure them full security in the long intercontinental hauls.
26/06/16 Free Press Journal
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As usual, it will be always the Air India that will continue to fly the PM whenever he goes abroad.
Two brand new Boeing 777s being procured for the VVIPs will go to the Air India and not IAF. Boeing has been asked to make the new aircraft as per India’s requirements of completely securing the VVIP from hostile missiles or any other threats posed in the operating environment. The aircraft will have advanced security features to deal with all kinds of threats, the officials said.
The IAF, whose communication squadron already flies the PM to various places in India, wanted to take over his foreign flights as well for security reasons. Under the new plan, Air India will fly the PM but the IAF personnel will have full charge of the self-protection suite to be fitted in the new aircraft. The plan was discussed and cleared on Saturday by the Defence Acquisition Council in a meeting here chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that cleared the purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers, worth about USD 750 million, from the US. Unlike the current Air India One pulled out from the regular fleet of the Air India for foreign journeys of the President and the Prime Minister, the new aircraft, fitted with the self-protection suite and state-of-the-art, will ensure them full security in the long intercontinental hauls.
26/06/16 Free Press Journal
