Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to fly abroad by country’s own Air Force One. India is all set to receive Boeing 777 aircraft by 2020 which is capable jamming enemy radar frequencies, divert heat-seeking missiles and intercept advanced intermediate-range missile systems without intervention by the crew.
Air India One with missile defense systems
Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with missile defense systems will serve Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in their international visits. According to a report, the new fleet of Air India One aircraft will have Self-Protection Suites (SPS) which is used in President Donald Trump’s Air Force One.
India will be buying two long-haul plans which will be a part of the ‘Air India One’ fleet and will come with special configurations such as generous office space, meeting rooms and a wide array of communication systems.
The Self-Protection Suites (SPS) is a highly advanced defense system, it will have large aircraft infrared countermeasures, integrated defensive electronic warfare suite, and counter-measures dispensing system. However, the sole purpose is to protect the aircraft from un-warned missile attacks.
The new ‘Air India One’ aircraft will also be able to jam enemy radar and divert the heat-seeking missile. The warning and countermeasures system of these aircraft will require no action from the crew and will automatically counter advanced intermediate-range missile systems. The pilot will simply be notified that a threat missile was detected and jammed.
The deal
“This potential sale would include twelve Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (6 installed and 6 spares), eight (8) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (2 installed and 6 spares); twenty-three (23) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) for AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (12 installed and 11 spares), five (5) AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) (2 installed and 3 spares),” the sources said.
The aircraft is scheduled to reach India by June, next year and it may be placed under the Indian Air Force rather than Air India, an official report said. In February 2019, the White House administration had announced to give India the advance defense system used in US President’ aircraft. The deal for these planes would cost India around 190 million USD.
The country currently operates a two-decade-old Boeing B747 planes that are chartered from Air India for use of the three dignitaries.
