President Ram Nath Kovind boards Air India One for its inaugural flight

November 25, 2020

On November 24, 2020, President Ram Nath kovind boarded the Air India one-B777 aircraft. The president boarded the aircraft to visit Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and offer prayers at the Venkateshwara Swamy temple. The aircraft is carrying its first VVIP official.

About Air India one

The Air India one will be a call sign for the VVIP. The aircraft is to be used by the president, vice president and prime minister of India. The aircraft is fuel efficient. This has a longer range than that of the B747-400 aircraft deployed for similar VVIP operations.

The Air India one is to be operated by the Indian Air Force air headquarters communication Squadron that is based at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Key Features of Air India One

It is equipped with missile defence systems Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) self-protection suites. LAIRCM consists of missile warning sensors, control interface unit, lesser transmitter assembly and processors to track, detect, jam and counter incoming infrared missiles. This defence system installed brings Air India One on par with Air Force One.

Also, the aircraft is equipped with communication systems. These systems allow video and mid-air audio connect with top-tier security. It also has a medical room, a press briefing room, two conference rooms a secure communication room with network jammers.

Other Key Security Features

The aircraft consists of radar warning receivers, flares and chaff, intruder detection system, automatic external defirillator.
The Intruder Detection System identifies suspicious patterns from someone trying to break into the security system of the aircraft.
The Automatic External Defibrillator device automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arthymias.
The Flares are high-temperature heat sources that mislead heat seeking or heat sensitive missiles.