President Murmu makes history with Rafale sortie

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday became the first Indian head of state to fly in a Rafale fighter jet, marking a historic moment at the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana.

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The sortie underlined her role as the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces and reflected India's growing confidence in its advanced air combat fleet.

The President undertook a 30-minute flight in the French-origin multirole combat aircraft, piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, commanding officer of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 17 Squadron, also known as the 'Golden Arrows. The aircraft took off at 11:27 am and flew approximately 200 kilometres, reaching a speed of nearly 700 kilometres per hour and climbing to an altitude of 15,000 feet. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh accompanied the mission in a second Rafale aircraft, completing a twin-jet formation flight.

Donning a G-suit and aviator sunglasses, President Murmu was greeted with a ceremonial guard of honour on her arrival at the air base. Before boarding the aircraft, she interacted with IAF personnel, including Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India's first and only woman Rafale pilot.