Sense of Pride: President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Rafale fighter Jet
Sense of Pride: President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Rafale fighter Jet
Historic 20-minute sortie from Ambala showcases India’s air power and honours IAF’s role in Operation Sindoor.
President Droupadi Murmu created history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian President to fly in a Rafale fighter jet. The landmark sortie took place at the Ambala Air Force Station, one of India’s premier airbases, where the President undertook a 20-minute flight in the state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft operated by Group Captain Amit Gehani.
The President arrived at Ambala at around 9:15 a.m., where she was received by Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh, who also presented her with a Guard of Honour. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and state minister Anil Vij were also present during the event amid tight security arrangements.
After inspecting the Air Force Station and reviewing the parade, President Murmu boarded the Rafale jet for the much-anticipated flight. Following the sortie, she described the experience as “unforgettable” and expressed deep pride in India’s defence capabilities.
President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala, Haryana. She is the first President of India to take sortie in two fighter aircrafts of the Indian Air Force. Earlier, she took a sortie in Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023. pic.twitter.com/Rvj1ebaCou
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 29, 2025
“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 said.
This historic flight marks another milestone in her journey of engaging with India’s armed forces. Earlier, President Murmu had flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet, clocking a 30-minute sortie from the Tezpur Air Base in Assam. The Rafale flight now stands as a new chapter in her record of courageous engagements with India’s defence establishment.
The Rafale, which played a key role in Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, remains one of the most advanced fighters in the Indian Air Force’s arsenal.
President Murmu’s sortie not only symbolised India’s growing self-reliance and technological prowess in defence but also underscored her message of respect and admiration for the nation’s armed forces.
