New Delhi: The Prime Minister and the President of India have a swanky new aircraft each while many say it's about time, others feel it's bit too extravagant.
It's not exactly Air Force 1 but is certainly a much needed addition to the VIP squadron of the Indian Air Force. Three such aircraft will now be used by the President and the Prime Minister for their official travel.
So, what does this VIP Boeing, which comes at a cost of over Rs 300 crore, boast of?
<li>A state-of-the art cockpit
<li>A VIP section with a fully equipped office
<li>And a twin-bed bedroom
<li>Six rows of seats for security officials and personal staff
<li>And another section with additional 30 seats for the support staff or accompanying media
These planes also come armed with state of the art warning systems and intruder detection equipment making them safe from any missile attack.
"These are the best available aircraft in the world. They are capable of self-protection and fulfill our needs," said F H Major, Air Chief Marshal.
The <i>Rajdoot</i> as these jets are called, can cruise at an altitude of over 40,000 feet and fly non-stop for 5,000 km making them a comfortable home in the sky for India's top decision-makers.