When Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping travel abroad, their personal security and the specialized vehicles they travel in draw significant global attention. At the recent BRICS summit held in India, both leaders arrived in their own bulletproof cars. Here’s a look at which of the two vehicles is more powerful and what makes each of their protection systems distinctive.
Features of Vladimir Putin’s ‘Aurus’
The vehicle Russian President Putin travels in is called the “Aurus.” Weighing around 6 tonnes, this Russian-made car is also nicknamed “The Beast.” Its BR5 ballistic protection allows it to easily withstand 7.62 mm bullets, grenade blasts, and even a 6-kilogram TNT bomb attack. The vehicle features extremely robust bulletproof glass, 80 mm thick. Even if its tyres are punctured during an attack, it can continue travelling at speeds of up to 80 km/h for another 50 kilometres. The Aurus engine produces as much as 598 horsepower, and despite its 6-tonne weight, its motor capability allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6 seconds. In terms of security features, it is equipped with ECM signal jammers, an emergency oxygen supply system, and technology to neutralize drones. To prevent adversaries from identifying the exact vehicle Putin is travelling in, his convoy runs 10 to 15 identical Aurus cars simultaneously, making it impossible for opponents to determine which car he is actually in.
Features of Xi Jinping’s ‘Hongqi L5 / N701’
Wherever Chinese President Xi Jinping travels, he takes his official state vehicle, the “Hongqi L5,” or its specialized model, the “N701.” In Mandarin, “Hongqi” translates to “Red Flag.” Regarded as a symbol of Chinese national pride, this vehicle weighs 3,150 kilograms and measures 18 feet, or 5.5 metres, in length, with an estimated value of around Rs. 7 crore ($1.7 million). The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. In terms of protection, it too ranks among the top-tier vehicles — featuring a specialized air filtration system to protect occupants from biological and chemical attacks, armor plating capable of withstanding rocket attacks, extremely thick bulletproof glass, 360-degree cameras, and all-wheel-drive systems.
Which Car Is More Powerful?
Comparing the protective systems of the two vehicles, Vladimir Putin’s “Aurus” emerges as the more powerful of the two. Its 598 hp engine accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6 seconds, whereas the Hongqi takes 8 seconds to reach the same speed. Additionally, in terms of bomb-blast resistance, run-flat tyres, drone neutralization technology, and heavy ballistic protection, Putin’s Aurus outperforms China’s Hongqi.
Putin’s Airborne Protection: The ‘Flying Kremlin’
Putin’s security extends well beyond road travel into the air as well. The Ilyushin-96 aircraft he travels in is nicknamed the “Flying Kremlin.” It can travel 15,000 kilometres without stopping, functioning essentially like a flying bunker. It is equipped with radar-evading coating, protection against nuclear electromagnetic pulses (EMP), and DRCM missile defense systems capable of diverting incoming missiles.