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President Droupadi Murmu Creates History with Rafale Sortie in Ambala

By Gireesh Vasishta
President Droupadi Murmu Creates History with Rafale Sortie in Ambala

The President, dressed in a G-suit, was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon her arrival. The jet was piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the No. 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows,' the unit where the Rafale was initially inducted. Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, also flew in an accompanying Rafale jet.

AMBALA (HARYANA), October 29, 2025 — President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Droupadi Murmu, successfully completed a historic sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Ambala Air Force Station today. This makes her the first Indian President to fly in the Rafale and the first to have flown in two different fighter aircraft.

The President, dressed in a G-suit, was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon her arrival. The jet was piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the No. 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows,' the unit where the Rafale was initially inducted. Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, also flew in an accompanying Rafale jet.Also Read; "Trump Claims He Brokered India-Pakistan Ceasefire to Protect Trade Deals"

A Milestone for the Supreme Commander

The flight is a powerful symbol of the President's engagement with the nation's military and a show of confidence in the country's most modern defence acquisition.

* Unforgettable Experience: Following the approximately 30-minute sortie, President Murmu wrote in the visitor's book: "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."

* Flight Details: The flight covered approximately 200 kilometers, reaching an altitude of about 15,000 ft and a speed of about 700 kilometers per hour.PALAY® Straw Hat Sun Hats for Women,Wide Brim Cap Beach Hat for Women Stylish UV Protection Cap

President Murmu's Fighter Jet Sorties

The Rafale sortie is President Murmu's second flight in a combat aircraft, continuing a tradition set by former Presidents.

| Fighter Aircraft | Location | Date |

| Rafale | Ambala Air Force Station, Haryana | October 29, 2025 |

| Sukhoi-30 MKI | Tezpur Air Force Station, Assam | April 8, 2023 |

Prior to her, former Presidents Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had also undertaken sorties in the Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. The Rafale, manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force at the Ambala Air Force Station in September 2020.