On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Ambala, Haryana.
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala (Haryana) today (October 29, 2025). She is the first President of India 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.
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 kilometers 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. – PIB India
Key details of the event:
- Supreme Commander: As the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the President’s sortie is a symbolic gesture of her engagement and support for the defence forces.
- Historic first: This makes her the first Hon’ble Indian President to fly in the advanced Rafale combat aircraft.
- Hon’ble Previous fighter jet sortie: This was Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s second sortie in a combat aircraft. In April 2023, she flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet from the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.
- Arrival and honours: Upon her arrival at the Ambala airbase, she was welcomed by senior IAF officials, including Air Chief Marshal Shri. A. P. Singh. She also received a ceremonial guard of honour before the flight.
- Rafale context: The French-manufactured Rafale jets were formally inducted into the IAF at the Ambala station in September 2020. The base is home to the 17th Squadron, the “Golden Arrows,” which flies these aircraft.
- Strategic importance: The sortie took place amidst reports of the Rafale’s recent operational use during “Operation Sindoor,” which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories earlier in May 2025.
Please Read: PRESIDENT OF INDIA TAKES A SORTIE IN A RAFALE AIRCRAFT AT AMBALA at PIB India
Visit https://inworldnews.com/ for more