President Droupadi Murmu Makes Historic Sortie in Rafale Fighter Jet at Ambala Air Force Station
In a historic moment that exuded national pride and strength, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, flew a sortie in the Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jet at the Air Force Station, Ambala, on October 29, 2025. She made it to the history books with this flight as the first President of India to have flown two Indian Air Force fighter jets — the Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023 and the Rafale now.
Ambala Air Force Station is a significant place in the IAF's history as it is the first base where it received Rafale fighter jets from the Dassault Aviation facility in France. The sortie, which was about 30 minutes long, witnessed the President flying at a speed of almost 700 km/h and an altitude of 15,000 feet, spanning an impressive route of 200 kilometers. The aircraft was being flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, the Commanding Officer of the 'Golden Arrows,' a coveted 17 Squadron.
Upon completion of the flight, President Murmu wrote down her thoughts in the visitor book of the station, terming it "unforgettable." Her entry was, "This maiden flight on the powerful Rafale plane has given me a new sense of pride in the defence capabilities of the country. Congratulations to the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station, Ambala for hosting this sortie.
As the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, President Murmu's sortie reflected not just her faith in the operational capabilities of the IAF but also India's increasing self-reliance and technological strength in defence. Prior to the flight, she was presented with a detailed briefing on Rafale's operational and combat capabilities, which have greatly improved the IAF's air superiority since induction.
This moment is more than ritualistic — it's a strong statement of India's military modernization, gender empowerment at the top, and national security commitment at any cost. The sight of President Murmu piloting the Rafale is a bold symbol of India's evolution — where leadership, bravery, and defence prowess meet in perfect synchrony.
Keywords: President Droupadi Murmu, Rafale Sortie, Indian Air Force, Ambala Air Force Station, Defence Capabilities, Sukhoi 30 MKI, Group Captain Amit Gehani, 17 Squadron, Dassault Aviation, India Defence News 2025.
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