Ambala, Haryana — President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday made history by undertaking a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Ambala Air Force Station, one of India’s most strategic airbases. The event underscored her role as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces and celebrated the professionalism and modern capability of the Indian Air Force.
Ceremonial Welcome and Flight Details
President Murmu arrived at the Air Force Station in the morning and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. Before boarding the aircraft, she donned a G-suit, held her helmet confidently, and posed for photographs with the pilot. Wearing sunglasses and exuding composure, the President waved from the cockpit before takeoff.
The Rafale jet took off at 11:27 a.m., while Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, simultaneously flew in another aircraft from the same base.
Operation Sindoor: Rafale’s Combat Legacy
The Rafale fleet recently made headlines for its active role in Operation Sindoor, an air mission launched by India in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. During the operation, the Rafale jets carried out precision strikes targeting multiple terrorist infrastructures located in Pakistan-controlled territories.
The operation, conducted between May 7 and May 10, lasted four days and successfully neutralized several high-value enemy positions before both sides agreed to halt military actions.
Rafale: The Powerhouse of Indian Air Superiority
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France, the Rafale fighter aircraft was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2020 at the same Ambala Air Base. The first five Rafales, which arrived from France on July 27, 2020, joined the 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’—one of the most decorated units of the IAF.
The Rafale’s advanced avionics, radar capabilities, and weapon systems have given India a strategic edge in aerial combat and deterrence, especially along sensitive borders.
A Tradition of Presidential Sorties
This is not the first time an Indian President has taken to the skies in a combat aircraft. In April 2023, President Murmu undertook a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur Air Force Station, Assam.
Before her, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had flown in Sukhoi-30 MKI jets in 2006 and 2009, respectively — setting a proud tradition of Presidential engagement with the nation’s air defence forces.
Symbol of Confidence and National Pride
President Murmu’s Rafale sortie is seen as a powerful message of trust in India’s defence preparedness and women’s leadership in national security. Her flight symbolizes the synergy between India’s civilian leadership and its armed forces — a relationship built on respect, professionalism, and shared commitment to national security.
Conclusion
President Droupadi Murmu’s Rafale sortie from Ambala marks yet another historic chapter in India’s aviation history. As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, her presence in the cockpit is not merely ceremonial—it’s a testament to the courage, precision, and technological prowess that define the Indian Air Force today.