Government to procure business jets for defence dignitaries and chiefs of armed forces

The Department of Defense has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure long-range business jets for senior defense officials and armed forces commanders.

The government plans to replace the existing fleet of business jets with the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has been in service for 20 years, a senior Ministry official said. The replacement is planned in phases and is expected to take time.

The decision to buy a new fleet comes after the death of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others when a plane belonging to VSR Ventures crashed on January 28.

Sources said the RFI is seeking inputs from Indian and foreign vendors for the jets along with relevant equipment for the IAF. The first part of the RFI outlines the broad operational specifications and key technical parameters that the aircraft must meet. The second section specifies the methodology for submitting vendor response, including compliance requirements and prescribed formats.

The government will evaluate options in local and global markets before proceeding with the procurement process.

On 21 September 2005, four Embraer Legacy 600 business jets were integrated into the IAF’s Air Headquarters Communications Squadron; Three aircraft were initially delivered, with the fourth arriving a few months later. The aircraft were named Meghdoot, Vayudoot, Nabhdoot and Gagandoot and have since been used for VIP and communications missions.

The current Embraer fleet needs a takeoff distance of 1,800 meters and a landing distance of 1,400 meters, enabling operations from most airports in India and abroad. The jets are equipped with self-protection suites to protect against missile threats.