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Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Friday for his three-day visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit. Ahead of the summit, Putin held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, the Russian President arrived in India in the early hours of Friday, September 11.
As one of the world’s most heavily protected leaders, Putin doesn’t travel without stringent security arrangements. He arrived in India with two identical aircraft, with one of them being a decoy, according to the Times of India.
Nobody, except his closest security officials, knew which plane Putin was aboard. He was travelling on his customised presidential aircraft, the Ilyushin IL-96-300PU, which is often referred
to as the “Flying Kremlin” or “Doomsday Plane”.
About Putin’s ‘Doomsday Plane’
Often referred to as the ‘Flying Kremlin’ or the ‘Doomsday Plane’, the aircraft is a highly customised and modified version of the Ilyushin IL-96-300PU.
The aircraft is 55.35 metres long with a wingspan of 60.12 metres. It is operated by Russia’s Special Flight Squadron that manages and oversees all presidential travel.
During critical times such as a nuclear war, large-scale disaster, or any conflict threatening government or military infrastructure, the aircraft can function as an airborne command post.
The ‘Doomsday Plane’, thus, belongs to an unofficial category of aircraft, which only the United States and Russia are known to have developed and operate, Times of India reported.
Presidential Suit With Bedrooms, Bathrooms
The plane, powered by four Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan engines, can fly roughly 11,000 kilometres without refuelling. It is designed to function as a fully mobile command centre during national emergencies.
The ‘Flying Kremlin’ also possesses radar-jamming technology along with advances defensive systems. It has protected data and radio channels to facilitate uninterrupted communication under worst-case scenarios.
Beyond the security architecture, the comfort aspect of the aircraft stands out. It features a private presidential suite with bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms, a dining area and kitchen.
