President Murmu flies in Rafale from Ambala, sets record as first President to fly in two fighters

President of India Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala, Haryana, becoming the first President of the country to have taken sortie in two fighter aircrafts of the Indian Air Force. Earlier, she took a sortie in Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023.

Air Force Station, Ambala is the first Air Force Station where Rafale aircrafts arrived from Dassault Aviation Facility, France.

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The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, flew for approximately 30 minutes covering about 200 kilometers before returning to the Air Force Station. The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron. The aircraft flew at a height of about 15000 ft above sea level and at a speed of about 700 kilometres per hour.

Later in the visitor’s book, the President expressed her feelings by writing a brief note in which she said, “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.”

The President was also briefed on the operational capabilities of Rafale and the Indian Air Force. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also flew a Rafale fighter jet, leading a formation sortie carrying the President. The Chief of the Air Staff piloted a separate Rafale from the same fleet, flying in close coordination with the aircraft carrying the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The Rafale fighter jet was formally inducted into the IAF in September 2020 with No. 17 Squadron, known as the Golden Arrows, stationed at Ambala, the Air Force’s oldest operational base. Reportedly, the Squadron was also deployed during Operation Sindoor, launched in May following the Pahalgam terror attack.