In a landmark event, President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft today at Air Force Station Ambala, Haryana, marking the first time a President of India has flown in two different fighter jets of the Indian Air Force. The mission underscores India’s growing air-power capability and reaffirms the synergy between civilian leadership and defence forces.
Our correspondent reports that the flight lasted approximately 30 minutes and covered about 200 kilometres under the command of Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17th Squadron. The aircraft reached an altitude of around 15,000 feet and cruised at a speed of about 700 km/h. Ambala is the first Indian air station to receive Rafale jets from the Dassault Aviation facility in France.
The President, who holds the constitutional designation of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was also briefed on the Rafale’s state-of-the-art operational capabilities before the flight. After returning to the base, she wrote in the visitor’s book: “The sortie 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.”
Our correspondent adds that the event is seen as a testament to India’s defence modernisation and strategic autonomy. The Rafale, inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2020, has enhanced India’s multirole combat capability with advanced avionics, weapon systems, and mission readiness. Displaying such a platform to the highest civilian authority symbolises the government’s confidence in its armed forces and commitment to self-reliant defence.
The sortie comes amid an era where regional security dynamics are rapidly evolving. Defence analysts say the flight sends a clear message of India’s aerial deterrence and operational preparedness. They noted that the President’s involvement underscores civilian-military harmony, an essential pillar of India’s democratic and strategic framework.
Officials described the preparation for the sortie as comprehensive: ground crews performed final systems checks, air-space around the route was cleared, support units were placed on standby, and emergency protocols were reviewed. Such coordination echoes the meticulous operational culture of the Indian Air Force.
Our correspondent adds that the visit forms part of a broader public-engagement strategy, wherein senior leadership experiences frontline platforms and interacts with operational units. Observers believe that this not only boosts the morale of defence personnel but also enhances public understanding of military assets and their role in national security.
The President’s Rafale mission stands as a significant milestone in India’s defence narrative. It reflects not just technological potency but also the leadership’s active engagement with modern security imperatives. As the nation continues to invest in advanced air assets and strategic readiness, moments like these reaffirm the enduring partnership between the armed forces and the people they protect.
