US asks for a no-fly zone over Rajpath on R-Day, India says no

[khujliwal]

NEW DELHI: India has politely turned down a suggestion by Barack Obama's security teams that a 5-km "no-fly zone" be imposed around the majestic Rajpath during the Republic Day parade, which will have the US President as the chief guest for the first time.

READ ALSO: 1,600 US men to cover Obama on R-Day visit

A no-fly zone would have led to the customary flypast on January 26 being cancelled."The US team was told that this was simply not possible," said a source. The US security detail was apparently in touch with the directorate general of civil aviation about the no-fly zone but the proposal was shot down by military authorities.
"In any case, only twin-engine military aircraft and helicopters fly during the Republic Day parade. The actual flypast duration over Rajpath is around 10 minutes. Otherwise, throughout the year there is a no-fly zone over Rashtrapati Bhavan, South and North Blocks, the PM's residence and other nearby places," he added.
Sources said 18 fighter jets, five aircraft and 10 helicopters will take part in the flypast this year, flying at heights from 60-metre to 300-metre above the ground. It will include the Navy's first supersonic fighter MiG-29K as well as IAF fighters like Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars, which will take off from different airbases in north India and converge over the Rajpath.
Obama will also get to see specialized military aircraft acquired from his country like the C-130J 'Super Hercules', C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift and Poseidon-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft in deals worth upwards of $7 billion. More repeat orders as well as new ones worth $2.5 billion for Apache attack and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters are also in the pipeline.

 

[Soumitra]

Good India must stand its gaurd. Obama's security is important but our agencies are more than enough to let that happen

there was also a report of Indian govt asking him to travel in Pranab Mukherjee's car.

The Secret Service wanted Pranab Mukherjee to travel in the Beast but it was shot down

Now I think there will be 2 motorcades
@Abingdonboy any comments

 

[SrNair]

Good Move

 

[Krate M]

@khujliwal link please

 

[Echo_419]

Good India must stand its gaurd. Obama's security is important but our agencies are more than enough to let that happen

there was also a report of Indian govt asking him to travel in Pranab Mukherjee's car.

The Secret Service wanted Pranab Mukherjee to travel in the Beast but it was shot down

Now I think there will be 2 motorcades
@Abingdonboy any comments

Agreed a no fly zone will be to excessive

 

[Abingdonboy]

A no fly zone is already in place for all civilian air traffic during R-day but it would be absurd to expect the Military flypasts to be cancelled and I'm glad the Indian side told the US officials to buzz off with that suggestion.

Now I think there will be 2 motorcades
@Abingdonboy any comments

Yes this is pretty much a guarantee.

 

[livingdead]

they should also get some obama lookalike...
hope Morgan Freeman and Samuel Jackson will agree to lay their life for commander in chief.

 

[Soumitra]

NEW DELHI: US President Barack Obama's visit to India for Republic Day celebrations has set in motion unprecedented security preparations being discussed and planned in detail by Indian and American officials.

Here are top 10 facts on the visit:

1. President Obama will be on an open air platform at Rajpath for more than two hours for the Republic Day parade - the longest ever for a US president. A bullet-proof shield could protect the VVIP enclosure this time.
2. The maximum time an American president usually spends outside is 45 minutes and reports say his security officers are not happy about the duration of the Republic Day parade.A power-point presentation on the show has been given to US officials.
3. The show's length has reportedly been extended because of the American President's visit. The number of tableaux may be more than last year's 20, say Indian officials.
4. India has reportedly rejected the US demand for a "no fly" zone over Rajpath as it would mean no fly-past, one of the main draws of the Republic Day ceremony.
5. President Obama is expected to follow protocol and forgo his own bulletproof car - known as the "Beast" - to ride to the venue with President Pranab Mukherjee. @Abingdonboy this is contarary to previous reports
6. The 18-feet long, 8 ton presidential car can withstand bombs and bullets, has shred and puncture resistant tyres, night vision camera, satellite phones and a driver trained by the secret service who can perform a 180-degree turn. The car has a direct phone line to the Vice President and the Pentagon.
7. Metro stations and offices around the Rajpath area will be taken over 72 hours in advance at the request of US security personnel.
8. Snipers will be positioned and the airspace over the area will be monitored by specially set up radar.
9. Face recognition cameras are being installed at Delhi's entry points to help identify criminal elements and CCTV cameras will monitor the routes taken by the US president, say senior police officers.
10. "Obama's security is our responsibility and we should not make it a big issue," said junior home minister Kiren Rijiju.

 

[itachiii]

1. President Obama is expected to follow protocol and forgo his own bulletproof car - known as the "Beast" - to ride to the venue with President Pranab Mukherjee.

bro , any credible source ??

 

[Soumitra]

It is from NDTV. Dont know how credible

10 Facts About President Obama's Republic Day Outing

 

[nair]

This doesnt make any sense........ That area is already a No Fly zone.......The only air crafts are flown are air force ones and that too on Jan 26th..... If no fly past then what is the purpose of having a parade? Luckily there was no request to drop the weapons during parade.....