The BRICS Summit 2026 aircraft arriving in and around New Delhi are drawing almost as much attention from aviation watchers as the leaders travelling there. From Russia’s highly specialized presidential Ilyushin Il-96 to China’s Air China-branded Boeing 747-8, the aircraft offer a visual snapshot of how different governments handle VIP travel.

The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit is being hosted in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders and senior representatives from an expanded group that now includes 11 member countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the high-profile attendees, while other countries are represented by vice presidents, foreign ministers or other senior officials.

But there is an interesting detail visible before any diplomatic meeting begins: the words, logos and markings painted on the aircraft.

Some government jets loudly announce their national identity. Others deliberately resemble commercial airliners. And in several cases, identifying the aircraft alone is not enough to determine who is actually on board.

Why do the BRICS Summit 2026 aircraft look so different?

There is no single model for a presidential aircraft.

Governments make different choices based on security requirements, fleet availability, cost, military structures and whether a country maintains a dedicated VIP aircraft at all.

The result is a varied lineup:

• Dedicated presidential aircraft, such as Russia’s modified Il-96.
• Military-operated VIP aircraft, such as South Africa’s Boeing 737 BBJ.
• Government aircraft carrying prominent national markings.
• National airline aircraft used for senior government travel.
• Commercial-looking aircraft operated by government presidential-flight units.
• Chartered or otherwise unconfirmed aircraft for delegations whose specific transport has not been publicly identified.

That makes an airport ramp during a major summit an unusual form of geopolitical display. The aircraft are transportation tools, but their liveries can also communicate national identity and institutional affiliation.

What does Putin’s plane say?

Russia: “РОССИЯ”

One of the easiest aircraft to identify is the Russian presidential jet associated with Vladimir Putin.

Putin’s long-range presidential aircraft is a heavily modified Ilyushin Il-96-300PU(M1), operated by the Special Flight Detachment “Rossiya.” Unlike the prominent “United States of America” lettering associated with the U.S. presidential aircraft, Russia’s aircraft does not need to spell out “president” to make its role apparent.

Instead, one of its most striking markings is “РОССИЯ,” the Russian word for “Russia.”

The aircraft also carries Russian national and presidential imagery, including the Russian flag and presidential standard.

The Il-96 itself is distinctive. It is a four-engine widebody aircraft, while the presidential version has extensive modifications for government communications, security and long-range travel.

Russian transport aircraft have also been arriving in India ahead of Putin’s visit, including aircraft reported at the newly inaugurated Jewar Airport.

Why can Xi’s aircraft look like a commercial jet?

China: Air China branding instead of presidential markings

China takes a markedly different approach.

China does not publicly operate a presidential aircraft painted specifically to resemble America’s Air Force One. For international travel, Xi Jinping has frequently traveled aboard aircraft associated with Air China.

One of the best-known examples is Boeing 747-8 B-2479.

At first glance, the aircraft can look like a normal Air China widebody because it carries the airline’s familiar branding and red phoenix logo. There is no large presidential inscription announcing that the country’s leader is aboard.

That difference makes China’s aircraft particularly interesting at an international summit.

Russia’s presidential aircraft visibly identifies itself through national markings, while China’s arrangement can make the aircraft appear closer to an ordinary commercial airliner.

The distinction also illustrates an important point for aviation watchers: an airline-branded aircraft does not necessarily mean the trip is a normal commercial operation.

Why is Egypt’s new Boeing 747-8 so noticeable?

Egypt: “ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT”

Egypt has one of the most visually distinctive government aircraft in the group.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s new government Boeing 747-8, registered SU-EGY, entered Egyptian government service in December 2025. The aircraft had spent years in storage before being refurbished and fitted for government use.

Its exterior makes its purpose difficult to miss.

The fuselage carries “ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT” alongside the Arabic name of the country. The tail features Egyptian national colors and the Eagle of Saladin.

The aircraft is also significant simply because of its size. A Boeing 747-8 is substantially larger than the business jets and narrowbody VIP aircraft used by several other governments.

If SU-EGY is used for the Egyptian delegation’s travel to Delhi, it should be among the easiest aircraft on the airport ramp to recognize.

The aircraft’s history is unusual, too. It was originally built in 2011 for Lufthansa but was never delivered to the airline. After years in storage, it eventually underwent extensive work before entering Egyptian government service.

What makes South Africa’s “Inkwazi” different?

South Africa: A military-operated VIP aircraft

South Africa’s presidential aircraft has a distinctly military identity.

President Cyril Ramaphosa travels in a Boeing 737-7ED BBJ operated by 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force. The aircraft is officially known as Inkwazi, a name meaning fish eagle.

Its exterior carries “SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE” markings along with South African national insignia.

The aircraft has previously transported South African presidents to BRICS meetings, making it particularly familiar to aviation observers who follow the summit circuit.

Its combination of a Boeing 737 BBJ, military markings and registration ZS-RSA provides several visual clues for identification.

The aircraft therefore represents a different government-travel model from both Russia’s dedicated presidential fleet and China’s use of Air China-branded aircraft.

What does Indonesia’s presidential plane look like?

Indonesia: “REPUBLIK INDONESIA”

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s presidential aircraft is a Boeing 737-700 BBJ operated under the country’s presidential transport arrangement.

The aircraft uses the callsign INDONESIA ONE and carries prominent national markings.

“REPUBLIK INDONESIA” is displayed on the aircraft, along with the Garuda Pancasila national emblem and Indonesian flag imagery.

Like Russia’s presidential aircraft, Indonesia’s jet therefore makes its national identity immediately apparent.

For photographers and aviation spotters, these markings can be more useful than the aircraft type itself because several governments use similar Boeing Business Jet configurations.

Can a government aircraft look exactly like a commercial jet?

UAE: Emirates colors do not always mean a normal airline flight

The United Arab Emirates offers perhaps the most surprising example.

The UAE’s Presidential Flight operates aircraft that can retain the liveries of commercial airlines. One notable aircraft is Boeing 777-200 A6-ALN, a Presidential Flight aircraft painted in Emirates colors.

That means an Emirates-branded Boeing 777 sitting at an airport does not necessarily indicate a scheduled commercial service.

The aircraft has been used to transport members of the UAE’s senior leadership and their entourages, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

For observers, this is a useful reminder that paint schemes alone can sometimes be misleading.

What aircraft does Malaysia use for government travel?

Malaysia’s government operates an Airbus A319-115 ACJ, registration 9M-NAA, for official travel by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other senior government officials.

The aircraft carries Malaysian national symbols, including the coat of arms and flag.

It previously carried “1Malaysia” branding, which was later removed.

The A319 is considerably smaller than Egypt’s 747-8 but is well suited to VIP government travel because its Airbus Corporate Jet configuration can provide a combination of long-range capability and a private interior.

Is Uganda’s presidential aircraft confirmed?

Uganda operates a Gulfstream G550, registration 5X-UGF, for the president and senior government officials.

However, the specific aircraft carrying Vice President Jessica Alupo to Delhi has not been publicly confirmed.

That distinction matters.

A government may have a recognizable VIP aircraft, but that does not automatically establish that the same aircraft is being used for a particular summit delegation.

For the BRICS Summit 2026 aircraft arriving in Delhi, observers should therefore distinguish between “this is a government aircraft operated by the country” and “this is the aircraft carrying this specific official.”

Which BRICS aircraft remain difficult to identify?

Several delegations present a more complicated identification challenge.

Iran’s historical VIP aircraft, Airbus A340 EP-IGA, should not automatically be identified as President Masoud Pezeshkian’s aircraft for the 2026 summit. The supplied information specifically notes that the aircraft was reportedly destroyed during the 2026 Iran war.

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima may travel aboard an aircraft from the Nigerian Presidential Air Fleet or a chartered aircraft, but the specific aircraft remains unconfirmed.

Similar uncertainty applies to delegations from Ethiopia, Burundi, Cuba, Belarus, Vietnam and the Philippines, where governments may have multiple aircraft, national airline arrangements or other VIP transport options.

Brazil presents another special case. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is not attending the summit, with Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira representing Brazil. The Brazilian Air Force operates VC-2 Embraer E190 aircraft carrying markings such as “REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL” and “FORÇA AÉREA BRASILEIRA,” but the specific aircraft that may have transported Vieira has not been confirmed.

What can the aircraft tell us about the BRICS countries?

The aircraft arriving for the summit reveal something broader than aviation preferences.

Russia uses a purpose-built presidential aircraft that strongly emphasizes state identity. South Africa relies on an Air Force-operated platform. Indonesia prominently displays its national identity. Egypt has introduced a large new government 747-8.

China’s approach is different, with senior leadership able to travel aboard aircraft carrying Air China branding. The UAE goes even further in blurring the visual boundary between government and commercial aviation by operating a presidential-flight aircraft in Emirates colors.

These choices reflect different government structures and traditions rather than a simple hierarchy of which country has the “best” presidential plane.

For airport observers, the markings provide another layer of information. “РОССИЯ,” “ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT,” “REPUBLIK INDONESIA,” “SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE” and “Air China” each point toward a different model of state aviation.

But identification requires caution.

A familiar aircraft may belong to a country’s government fleet without carrying its head of state. A commercial-looking jet may actually be operated by a government. And a country’s best-known VIP aircraft may not be the aircraft used for a particular delegation.

At a summit involving presidents, prime ministers, vice presidents and foreign ministers from a growing group of countries, the aircraft type is only one piece of the puzzle.

TL;DR

The BRICS Summit 2026 aircraft offer a visual guide to the different ways governments transport senior officials:

• Russia: Modified Ilyushin Il-96 with “РОССИЯ” markings.
• China: Air China-branded Boeing 747-8 has been used for Xi’s international travel.
• Egypt: New Boeing 747-8 SU-EGY carries prominent Egyptian national markings.
• South Africa: Boeing 737 BBJ “Inkwazi” is operated by the South African Air Force.
• Indonesia: Boeing 737-700 BBJ carries “REPUBLIK INDONESIA.”
• UAE: A Presidential Flight Boeing 777 can retain Emirates commercial colours.
• Malaysia: Government Airbus A319-115 ACJ serves official travel.
• Uganda and several other delegations: Specific aircraft for the Delhi trip remain subject to confirmation.

The most important takeaway for aviation watchers is simple: seeing a government aircraft does not necessarily prove which official is aboard. Arrival photography, registration data and reliable flight-tracking information are needed before making that identification.