Air transports for heads of state and government are, in many countries, provided by the air force in specially equipped airliners or business jets. One such aircraft in particular has become part of popular culture: Air Force One, used by the President of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force. Other well known official aircraft include the Russian presidential aircraft, the British Royal Air Force VIP aircraft, the French “Cotam 001” operated by the ETEC 65, the Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft, the German Konrad Adenauer, the Royal Australian Airforce VIP aircraft, the Japanese Air Force One, the South Korean Code One, Air India One, and the Brazilian Air Force One.
Air India One (AIC001) is the call-sign of any aircraft with the President of India, Vice President of India, or the Prime Minister of India on board. Air India One is operated by the Indian Air Force. Since 2003 one of four Boeing 747-400s of Air India have been used for international travel. In 2008, the Indian Air Force inducted three Boeing Business Jets which are used for domestic travel and nearby International trips. The other aircraft used are four 14 seater Embraer 135, four 20 seater Embraer 145 for other government officials. The Jets are fitted with encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids. The jets are also equipped with an advanced missile warning system, a missile deflecting shield, and electronic countermeasures so as to provide protection from any ground-based or air-borne threats and flares, chaffs, and lasers for misleading the missile.
Two new Boeing 777-300ER are being sourced from the US at a cost INR 1200 crores. These aircraft are presently getting equipped with an advanced Self Protection system, electronic countermeasure system, encrypted satellite communication system, and navigation system. These aircraft were to be delivered in Aug 2020 however are likely to be delayed due to the current pandemic. Unlike the 747s these aircraft will not be used for commercial operations by Air India which means they would be exclusively used for VVIP duties only.
Boeing has sold VVIP jets to many countries. However less known fact that a Boeing VVIP jet was once embroiled in a scandal. In January 2002, media outlets reported that China had found listening devices on a Boeing-767 aircraft that had been customized for transporting then Chinese president Jiang Zemin. China had purchased the Boeing-767 aircraft in June 2000 for $120 million; the aircraft was originally meant for a Chinese airline. The aircraft was customized by US companies in San Antonio. It was reported that 27 listening devices had been found which were highly sophisticated. The Chinese government never used the aircraft and subsequently sold off the jet for passenger use.
Does the story sound similar? My only hope is that the Indian government and the Indian Air Force will do the needful to prevent such occurrence. Who am I to cast aspersions on the US government or Boeing, all I humbly submit is to be cautious and careful because it is a national security issue. Large aircraft are important assets in the military, as well as in civilian aviation. The safety and security of the aircraft carrying the head of states can not be opined but only emphasized. We must break out of this mindset that we are a developing country. We are the fourth-largest economy in the world and a significant player in geopolitics and commerce. In an era ruled by unstable geopolitics, we can not float on wishful thinking and hope.
“There is some self interest behind every friendship.”
Chanakya
Jai Hind.
