Putin India Visit: Thursday was a very exciting day for global aviation watchers and aircraft tracking experts. Everyone’s eyes were on only one thing in the sky and that was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presidential aircraft ‘Flying Kremlin’. Two identical Russian planes were heading towards India and they played such a game that the whole world was thrilled. Sometimes one plane’s transponder would be on, allowing its exact location to be visible, while the other plane would disappear. After some time, the position of both the planes would change, due to which this game of hide and seek became even more mysterious.

This game, which lasted for about six and a half hours, forced thousands of people to keep tracking the plane. Late in the evening, President Putin’s Flying Kremlin landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Here he was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. After this, flight tracking site Flightradar24 declared it the world’s most tracked flight.

The reason for the mysterious game
Putin is one of the most protected leaders in the world and his foreign trips are always under multi-layer security protocols. An important part of this is the decoy aircraft strategy. Its purpose is to hide Putin from the eyes of the world and ensure that his plane is not identified at any cost. The same strategy was adopted on Thursday also. Putin’s special presidential aircraft IL-96-300PU, known to the world as ‘Flying Kremlin’, created suspense in the air with its clone aircraft.

On-off transponder increased the thrill
The Flying Kremlin maintained a mystery in the sky for about six and a half hours. During this time, the transponders of both the aircraft were playing an important role. Sometimes the transponder of one plane is switched off, and sometimes that of another. Sometimes both the planes were seen together. Both the aircraft were equipped with secure, encrypted communication system, special anti-missile technology, extended range, high-level electronic protection and secret command center. The activities of these planes created curiosity and excitement all over the world.

Mystery ended after landing in Delhi
Russian President Putin’s flying Kremlin landed at Delhi airport late in the evening. As soon as the plane stopped on the red carpet, it became clear which plane Putin was on. After waiting for a while, the doors of the plane opened and President Putin came out, who was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aircraft is not just a simple plane, but it is called Flying Kremlin. It is based on the ILYUSHIN IL-96-300PU model, especially designed for top leadership like President and Prime Minister. Due to security reasons, it is never made public in which aircraft Putin is traveling. He has a total of four aircraft of this model.

This aircraft has been used by top leaders of Russia’s power for 37 years. Its cost is estimated to be around 715 million dollars (Rs 6275 crore). Like the Air Force One, it has also been prepared like a mobile command center and luxury palace.

Flying Kremlin’s royal interior
If we talk about the interior of this aircraft, then it is no less than a palace. It has leather furniture and walnut veins. Gold has a herb carving. It has a private office and conference room. Also, it has guest lounge, rest room, mini gym, dining hall bar, shower and medical room. This aircraft is not just to travel but is Rashtrapati Bhavan flying in the sky.

Sky bulletproof fort
Putin’s flying Kremlin is ready to withstand all types of air and ground threats. It has a special coating so that the radar does not catch it. Apart from this, it has an anti-ai-circraft missile defense system, which fails any missile attack. During the journey, there is a circle of Russian fighter jets around this aircraft so that any danger can be combated.

13,500 km nonstop flight
The ILYUSHIN IL-96-300PU has four powerful engines, which enable it for a long journey. Its maximum speed is 900 km per hour. The fuel capacity is 1.5 lakh liters, due to which it can fly 13,500 km nonstop. It has high-quality navigation and satellite system. Its glass cockpit is equipped with modern technology. This is the reason why it is also called Air Force One of Russia.

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