Putin orders two more 'Doomsday' planes

Vladimir Putin is to get two new ultramodern 'Doomsday' planes for use during a nuclear war.

The adapted Ilyushin 96-400M's allow the Russian leader to control troops and missiles during an atomic catastrophe.

The first of the new airborne command and control planes is now under construction, said a source in the military-industrial sector.

The flying Kremlin command aircraft will replace the existing Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdomes which are on permanent standby.

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war.

The aircraft are accompanied by fighters and can be refuelled in midair.

'The Russian Aerospace Forces will receive two air command posts based on the Il-96-400M,' said the source.

'One is now in production.'

The project is named Zveno-3S and the plane is being adapted from the new Il 96-400M at Voronezh Aviation Plant. 

'The aircraft's radio complex of the aircraft will make it possible to deliver orders to troops, strategic aviation, mobile and silo launchers, and submarines carrying strategic nuclear weapons within a radius of 6,000 km (3,728 miles),' reported Moskovsky Komsomolets.

The flight ranges will double compared with the existing Doomsday aircraft.

In an embarrassing security lapse, one of the four existing planes was infiltrated and robbed as it was undergoing a refit Russian city Taganrog, on the Sea of Azov.

Some 39 pieces of radio equipment were stolen after a cargo hatch was opened.

The equipment contained precious metals gold and platinum which is seen as a possible motive for the theft.

It weighed several kilograms.

Local taxi driver Zhora Khachunts, 36, is detained over the embarrassing heist.

But he complains he has been made a 'scapegoat' for the major security breach and theft, and denies any involvement.

The US equivalent are the Boeing E-4B planes based on the 747 airliner. 

Reference: Will Stewart for MailOnline