New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin did not arrive in India on an ordinary government aircraft. For his visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, he travelled aboard a specially modified Ilyushin IL-96-300PU a plane often described as the “Flying Kremlin” because it can function as a secure command centre in the sky.
The aircraft is built to do much more than fly the Russian president from one country to another. It is packed with secure communication systems that allow Putin to stay in touch with Russia’s government, military and intelligence agencies while he is thousands of kilometres away from Moscow.
One of the most unusual security measures involves two nearly identical aircraft. Both planes can travel together, but only one carries Putin. The second aircraft serves as a decoy, making it harder for anyone watching from the ground or tracking aircraft movements to know which plane the Russian president is actually travelling in.
The IL-96-300PU is a modified version of Russia’s long range, four engine IL-96. The aircraft is around 55.35 metres long, has a wingspan of about 60.12 metres and can reportedly cover roughly 11,000 kilometres. It is operated by Russia’s Special Flight Squadron, which handles flights for the country’s top leadership.
Security is at the heart of the aircraft’s design. It reportedly has encrypted communications, satellite links and protected radio and data systems. Reports have also highlighted electronic countermeasures, including radar jamming technology, intended to provide additional protection.
Yet behind all that security is an interior that looks more like a luxury presidential residence than a military command post.
The aircraft reportedly features a private presidential suite, bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, dining areas and a conference room. Luxury touches, including woodwork, leather furnishings and gold coloured fittings, add to its lavish interior.
The plane is sometimes referred to as a “Doomsday Plane” because of its ability to act as an airborne command centre during a major crisis. That does not mean it is a nuclear bomber. Its real importance is its ability to keep Russia’s leadership connected and functioning even during an emergency.
Putin’s aircraft may look like a luxury jet from the outside, but its real purpose is far more serious keeping the Russian president protected, connected and in command wherever he travels.
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