3 exec jets to ferry VVIPs

The Centre on Tuesday approved plans to purchase three Boeing 737-700 executive business jets, to ferry VVIPs on long-haul flights.

Equipped with self-protection suites that will make these aircraft difficult targets for missiles, the deal will be worth over Rs 1,000 crore8212;the jets will be delivered by January 2009. The three planes will replace the 22-year old Boeing 737-200s currently used. The announcement, after a CCS meeting on Tuesday, comes at the time New Delhi is preparing to receive five Brazilian-made Embraer Legacy business jets, ordered by the previous NDA government, to be operated by the IAF8217;s Communication Squadron and the BSF.