President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, October 29, created history by taking a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft from the Ambala Air Force Base in Haryana, becoming the first Indian President to fly in the Air Force’s most advanced combat jet. The milestone marks a significant moment for the Indian Armed Forces and showcases the President’s active engagement as the Supreme Commander.
Sharing her experience on X, President Murmu described the Rafale sortie as an “unforgettable experience,” expressing immense pride in the nation’s defence prowess. She congratulated the Indian Air Force and the team at Air Force Station Ambala for successfully organizing the flight, stating that the experience reinforced her confidence in India’s growing air power and technological capabilities.
President Murmu is the third President and the second woman President to undertake such a flight. Earlier, former Presidents A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had flown in Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets in 2006 and 2009, respectively. Notably, in April 2023, President Murmu also took a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam, spending about 30 minutes airborne over the scenic Brahmaputra and Tezpur valley with the Himalayas in view.
