New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil has inducted the new state-of-the-art VVIP jets into the Indian Air Force before going on board its maiden flight to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The new jets can double as an office-in-the sky and a command centre in an emergency situation, like a nuclear attack. "The trip would now be more business like. We will get more time to study, concentrate and apply our minds as the flight will be more smooth," said Patil at the inauguration ceremony. The sparkling white Boeing Business Jet has been designed on the line of the US President's famous Air Force One aircraft and comes equipped with a wide range of security cover and latest communication devices. "The aircraft has some of the finest high technology systems and is equipped with excellent communication systems," said Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik. The 60-passenger-capacity aircraft has four sections. The first or presidential section is decorated with light and dark wooden panels with six leather seats. Another section has a bedroom for the President in which all the major entertainment and communication facilities are available. The other two sections are for senior officials travelling with the President or the Prime Minister. The aircraft is equipped with modern hi-tech missile defense system, which includes a protection suite and chaff dispensers to ward off missile threats besides other security gadgets. The jets, powered by two CFM-56 engines respectively, manufactured by US General Electric and French Snecma, are designed to have long range flights. The planes can fly at the height of 41,000 feet at a speed of 410 knots. While one of the three jets inducted into the IAF's Headquarters Communication Squadron is meant exclusively for the President and the Prime Minister, one is for ferrying special guests and senior ministers. The third jet would be on a stand-by. The new Boeing 747/700 christened as 'Rajdoot' is replacing the Boeing 737.
- Apr 1, 2009