The Indian Air Force is a diverse outfit when it comes to its fleet, and it operates aircraft ranging from hundreds of military jets to a small number of passenger planes for dignitaries. One plane that falls into the latter category is a 53-year-old Boeing 737-200, which remains in active service today. Let's take a more detailed look at the aircraft's history and its role in the IAF's fleet today.

Around for a while

Now bearing the registration K3187 according to data from ch-aviation, this particular example of the Boeing 737-200 actually had its origins at Indian Airlines, the former state-owned domestic carrier. Delivered as VT-EAJ, the plane joined the fleet in January 1971, having first flown a month beforehand. This represented a relatively quick turnaround from its order date, which took place in April 1970.

The aircraft flew domestic missions across the country in its heyday, serving the airline loyally for over two decades. The plane was configured in a 3-3 layout with 126 seats in total, as per data made available by Planespotters.net. According to ch-aviation, this setup consisted entirely of economy class seats.

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The aircraft was one of a grand total of 36 Boeing 737-200 aircraft that served with Indian Airlines over a period that spanned nearly four decades. The deliveries of the type took place between 1970 and 2008, with the last passenger example of the 737-200 joining the fleet in 2005. After this, the rest were cargo aircraft.

The Boeing 737 ultimately played a key role in the airline's fleet development, but it was eventually replaced by the Airbus A320. By the time Indian Airlines was merged with Air India in 2007, only Airbus aircraft were transferred.

Making the shift

In July 1993, after some 22.5 years of commercial service since joining the carrier in January 1971, the Indian Air Force took possession of VT-EAJ from Indian Airlines. The aircraft was reconfigured into a VIP configuration, meant to carry important military officials and members of government across the country. Due to safety restrictions, little is known about the insides of the plane today.

VT-EAJ is one of seven 737-200s that transferred to the military. K2142 and K2143 were moved in the 1980s and remain a part of the fleet today, and the IAF also took on two 737-200s in 1986 (retired in 1989). One aircraft, K3186, has been preserved in Hindon Air Base on the outskirts of Delhi, and the final plane was leased from Alliance Air temporarily and returned to the regional carrier in 2003 (K5011).

K2142 and K2143 each seat just 50 passengers in a rather exclusive configuration. While these jets are somewhat younger, at around 40.5 years of age, it is unclear why K3187 has been kept in service at the ripe old age of 53 years. Nonetheless, the airframe status remains active, signaling that the plane is airworthy even today. However, the IAF has acquired new planes to carry the nation's leadership.

The new fleet

As security needs have changed in the last two decades, the IAF has been proactively adding new planes to its fleet. In addition to the three Boeing 737-200s listed above, the military added three 737-700 BBJs (Boeing Business Jets) in 2007 and 2008. Today, these planes are in charge of carrying officials domestically and to medium-haul destinations, with the 737-200s seen much less.

However, two notable Indian military planes that have certainly caught the public's attention in the last few years are those that serve as India's version of the Air Force One. In 2020, the IAF took delivery of two specially fitted Boeing 777-300ERs. Originally sent to Air India, these were chosen to serve as the new Presidential jets.

These comparatively modern spent months undergoing refurbishment at a Boeing facility in Dallas, including the installation of $190 million worth of security systems. The 777-300ERs are now the flagship of the IAF's VIP fleet, but the 53-year-old 737-200 retains the title of being one of the oldest flying aircraft in the country.

What do you think about the IAF's Boeing 737 fleet? Have you ever seen one of these jets yourself? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!