President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft at the Air Force Station in Ambala on Wednesday, becoming the first President of India to have flown in two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). In 2023, she had taken a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.
The Ambala Air Force Station holds special significance as it was the first base to receive the Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation’s facility in France.
The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, flew for around 30 minutes, covering approximately 200 kilometres. The sortie was piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron. The aircraft reached an altitude of about 15,000 feet and clocked a speed of around 700 kilometres per hour.
After the flight, President Murmu expressed her feelings in the visitor’s book, calling the experience “unforgettable.” She wrote, “I am delighted to visit Air Force Station Ambala for my maiden flight on Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The sortie on Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me. This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station Ambala for organising this sortie successfully.”
During her visit, President Murmu was briefed on the operational capabilities of the Rafale aircraft and the overall preparedness of the Indian Air Force.