- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Putin In India: The Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a two-day visit to India. This is the first visit of the Russian President since the country was embroiled in the Russia-Ukraine war. Several agreements are expected to be signed during the 23rd India-Russia Summit, with key areas expected to be in the domain of trade, economy, healthcare, academia, culture and media.
The broader goal of the visit is to shore up the bilateral strategic and economic partnership between the two nations, against the backdrop of a sharp downturn in India's relations with the US. Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, also hinted towards a joint statement called Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation is also expected to be adopted by both countries until 2030.
As one of the world’s most closely guarded leaders, Putin travels with two signature symbols of his security and power, his customised presidential aircraft, often called the “Flying Kremlin,” and his armoured Aurus Senat limousine.
Let us look at the different aircraft used by state leaders across the world.
Russian Presidential Aircraft: Ilyushin 96
- The Ilyushin II-96, call sign ‘RSF’ or ‘RSD’ (Rosiya Special Flight Detachment), is the Presidential Aircraft which is used by President Vladimir Putin for transportation.
- It is a four-engined long-haul wide-body jet airliner which was designed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex in the former Soviet Union and manufactured by Voronezh Aircraft Production Association in Voronezh, Russia.
- The aircraft is powered by the high-bypass Aviadvigatel PS-90 twin-spool turbofan engines.
- The aircraft comes fitted with a glass cockpit with six multi-function colour and LCD displayers and a fly-by-wire (FBW) control system, which enhances flight precision and safety.
- Over the years, Ilyushin has manufactured many aircraft for Russian (and former Soviet Union) Presidents. Currently, President Putin uses the Il-96 variant.
Indian Prime Minister’s Carrier: Air India One
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in a Boeing 777 model aircraft, which is also known as Air India One by ATC call sign.
- The aircraft is also used to fly other VVIPs of the state, like the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister and is believed to be worth Rs 8,000 crore.
- India had bought two such aircraft back in 2016, one for the Prime Minister and another for the President, from the American company. The new aircraft entered service in October 2020, replacing the Boeing 747-400s operated for the missions by Air India.
- The aircraft does not bear any Air India markings and has no commercial use.
- They are maintained by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which has experience maintaining the Boeing 777 series aircraft for Air India's commercial fleet.
- The aircraft is fitted with encrypted satellite communication facilities, an advanced navigation aid, an advanced missile warning system, missile missile-deflecting shield and electronic countermeasures.
- The aircraft is also capable of long-range travel, removing the need for air-to-air refuelling.
American President’s Carrier: Air Force One
- The American President’s official Presidential aircraft, which goes by the ATC Call sign of Air Force One, are two Boeing 747-200B Jumbo jets.
- The aircraft features around 238 miles of shielded wiring designed to protect crucial electronics from the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) associated with a nuclear blast.
- The aircraft has 4,000 square feet of interior space, known as the ‘Flying Oval Office’, having a conference/dining room, quarters for staff and media, and two galleries which can accommodate up to 100 people at a time.
- A fully equipped medical facility, including an operating table and a doctor always on board, can handle a wide variety of medical emergencies.