President Murmu Takes Sortie in Rafale Jet at Ambala
Becomes first Indian President to fly in both Rafale and Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft; hails India’s defence prowess.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th Oct: In a historic milestone, President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, took a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft at the Air Force Station, Ambala (Haryana) on Wednesday. She became the first President of India to have flown in two different fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force — Rafale and Sukhoi-30MKI, the latter in which she flew in 2023.
The Rafale aircraft, inducted at Ambala as the first IAF base for the French-built jets, was piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron. The President’s flight lasted around 30 minutes, covering 200 kilometres, soaring 15,000 feet above sea level at an approximate speed of 700 kilometres per hour.
Following the sortie, President Murmu penned her reflections in the visitor’s book, writing, “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.”
She was also briefed on the operational capabilities of the Rafale fleet and the Indian Air Force’s preparedness in ensuring national security.
The event underlined India’s advancing air combat capabilities and the symbolic leadership role of the President as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
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