The aircraft was designed to meet the minimum safety and security standards to support the VVIP air transportation needs of the Indonesian president,[1] and includes a modest self-defense system.

[4] The aircraft belongs to the Ministry of State Secretariat, operated by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU),[5] and maintained by Garuda Maintenance Facility.

[6][7] Beginning in 2020, the Indonesian government chartered a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, registration PK-GIG, from Garuda Indonesia for the president's use on long-haul flights.

Shortly after Sukarno visited the United States in 1961, the IL-14 was replaced by three Lockheed C-140 Jetstar aircraft, as a gift from John F. Kennedy.

This aircraft used the civilian registration PK-PJQ from 1975 to 1986 until it was transferred to the Indonesian Air Force as A-7002, and retired from service around 2003.

[17] On 20 January 2012, Indonesian Government received a "green " (plain "hollow" aircraft prior to any specific modifications) BBJ2 variant of the 737-800 from the Boeing company, to be further modified and equipped with interior and security features.

[22] President Joko Widodo flew to Medan, North Sumatra, and went to Karo Regency to address the natural disaster relief efforts and to visit the refugees of the 2014 Mount Sinabung eruption.

On this occasion, the president was accompanied by first lady Iriana, Minister of Social Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa, and his daughter Kahiyang Ayu.

[25] The USD 4.5-million anti-missile defense system deploys chaff, a cloud of thin metal sheets and plastic pieces, and flares—as a countermeasure to deter guided missile strikes.

[2] The Indonesian presidential aircraft is painted red on top and white on the bottom, the colors of the national flag.

[26] After the aircraft was unveiled, its livery and color scheme was sky blue on top and white on the bottom, and attracted criticism.

Some deemed it "unattractive", while others noted the similarity of sky blue color scheme to the United States Air Force One, and others suspected a political connotation.

[a] Minister of State Secretariat Sudi Silalahi, responded that the sky blue color was chosen for safety and security reasons, as a sky-colored camouflage.