President Murmu Takes Sortie In Rafale Fighter Jet At Ambala Airbase, First President To Fly In Two IAF Fighters

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday (29 October) took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at the Indian Air Force Station in Ambala, Haryana, becoming the first President of India to fly in two different fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, The Hindu reported.

Earlier, in April 2023, she had flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.

Upon her arrival at Ambala, President Murmu was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.

Dressed in a G-suit and sunglasses, she posed for pictures with Group Captain Amit Gehani, the Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron, who piloted the sortie.

The Rafale took off at 11.27 am and flew for around 30 minutes, covering nearly 200 kilometres at an altitude of about 15,000 feet and a speed of approximately 700 kilometres per hour, before landing back at the base.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also took off in a separate aircraft from the same airbase.

In a note written in the visitor’s book after the sortie, President Murmu said, “I am delighted to visit Air Force Station Ambala for my maiden flight on Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force.”

She added, “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.”

President Murmu was also briefed on the operational abilities of the Rafale and the IAF’s readiness.

Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale jets were inducted into the IAF in September 2020 and are operated by the 17 Squadron, known as the ‘Golden Arrows’.

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