India
Air India One (AIC001) is the call-sign of any aircraft with the Prime Minister of India, President of India or the Vice President of India on board. Since 2003, a Boeing 747-437B, equipped with jamming equipment, anti-missile systems and air-to-air refueling facility, has been used as Air India One.
The Government of India uses Air India aircraft for the overseas transportation of its officials. Other Union Cabinet ministers and government officials may travel in AI-001 with the Prime Minister's consent. For domestic travel, the Prime Minister and the President use an Indian Air Force Boeing 737–200 (also known as T-43).
In 2008, the Indian Air Force inducted 3 Boeing Business Jets which will be used by VVIP Government officials. These aircraft have a range of 3,000 to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) and 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 counter measures so as to provide protection from any ground-based or air-borne threats.
In 2009 India ordered 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, for the Indian President and Prime Minister. The AW-101 was selected after competing against the Sikorsky S-92 Superhawk in field trials in 2008. One particular requirement was that the helicopter have "a high tail boom" to allow the Prime Minister's car to come closer to the rear exit staircase for reduced exposure to threats.
Read more about this topic: Air Transports Of Heads Of State And Government
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