President Droupadi Murmu made history on October 29, 2025, by becoming the first Indian President to fly in a Rafale fighter jet at Ambala Air Force Station, Haryana. Earlier she took a sortie in Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023.
President Murmu is seen dressed in full flight gear, boarded the state-of-the-art Rafale, joined by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and other senior Air Force officers. The sortie’s timing was crucial because Rafale jets gained worldwide attention following their active role in Operation Sindoor—India’s bold counter-terror response in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region earlier this year.
The flight lasted approximately 30 minutes, covering an aerial distance of about 200 kilometers, before returning to the base.
Flight Details:
- The aircraft piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron “Golden Arrows”.
- The jet flew at an altitude of roughly 15,000 feet above sea level.
- The speed of the aircraft was around 700 km/h, providing a swift and dynamic flight experience.
President Droupadi Murmu stated through X, “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”.