A helicopter was seen hovering over the Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10. Le Meridien is one of the four hotels that will host G20 guests during the two-day summit.
In a bid to safeguard the Delhi airspace and provide a secure environment for the high-level gathering the Indian Air Force would be keeping its airborne warning systems, fighter jets, including the Rafale on high alert apart from stationing the new air defence missile systems at vital locations to protect the Delhi airspace and provide protection to the high-level meeting.
According to a video shared by a user on X the helicopter flew over Le Meridien as part of security drills. A person was seen coming down from the helicopter. No official details were revealed.
Sources said the helicopter exercise aimed at checking the security preparedness in the event of a hostage situation. Joint drills involving the Delhi Police, Indian Air Force and the central paramilitary forces are underway at Pragati Maidan, Aerocity, Raisina Road and other key locations in view of the mega event.
Besides Le Meridien, special security arrangements have been made at Hyatt Regency, The Lodhi, Sheraton, The Lalit, The Imperial, The Claridges, Hotel Shangri-la, Le- Meridien, The Leela Palace, The Oberoi, The Grand, Radisson Blu, ITC Maurya, Taj Palace, and Taj Mahal hotel.
Several heads of state, including US President Joe Biden, and top foreign delegates are set to attend the summit on September 9-10, prompting the mega security exercise. During the summit, Sources said the counter-drone systems along with air defence missiles are also being stationed in the national capital to protect against any possible air threat in the national capital to protect against any possible air threat in coordination with all security agencies by the Indian Air Force, sources said.
The northern regions of the nation will remain under vigilant surveillance through the utilization of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), often referred to as the “eyes in the sky.” These airborne systems will ensure continuous monitoring of the area to detect any untoward movements or activities. In conjunction with AWACS, the indigenous surveillance aircraft ‘Netra’ will play a pivotal role in the monitoring efforts, providing real-time intelligence to security forces.
Several air bases surrounding the national capital territory, falling under jurisdictions of the Western Air Command and South Western Air Command, are being placed on high alert. These air bases will be fully operational and prepared to respond swiftly to any potential threats posed by aerial platforms.
