Tuesday, September 20 2005 11:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (Sept 20, 2005) inducted a Embraer business jet in the fleet of the Indian Air Force for VVIP travel.

It is one of the three Embraer-135 Legacy business jets India received from the Brazilian manufacturer a fortnight ago. Two more jets are expected to come in the next couple of years.

The cost of the five Embraers ordered in September 2003 is about Rs 750 crore.

The aircraft has self-protection suites to guard against missile attacks and other threats and the anti-missile defence systems were retrofitted in the US.

The aircraft, which are in special executive class configuration with 14 seats, have large cabin volume providing room for work and relaxation of VVIPs.

While four of the five aircraft would be placed under the IAF headquarters Communication Squadron, which caters to VVIP travel, the fifth will be under Home Ministry and the Border Security Force (BSF).

Government has recently cleared the purchase of three Boeing business jets, which will be fitted with anti-missile defence system and will start arriving in the country by January 2009.