Sukhoi-30 MKI And Now Rafale: Murmu Becomes First President To Undertake Sorties In 2 IAF Fighter Aircraft
Murmu made history as she became the first President of India to fly in two different fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Image courtesy: X.com/@rashtrapatibhvn
Around two years back in April 2023, President Droupadi Murmu had taken her maiden sortie on a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam. Now, she has become the first Indian President to undertake sorties in two different IAF fighter aircraft after flying in a Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday (October 29, 2025).
President Murmu had an “unforgettable experience” as she took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala, Haryana. “This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities,” she said.
This isn’t just a ceremonial gesture as it reflects the civil-military synergy and leadership’s growing engagement with national defence preparedness. The Rafale is not just another aircraft, it represents India’s leap into advanced fourth-generation fighter capability.
Why the Rafale matters for India’s air power
Inducted in 2020 at the very same Ambala Air Base, these French-built jets have since become a cornerstone of India’s air deterrence strategy. With a top speed exceeding 2,200 km/h, superior avionics, and precision strike capabilities, the Rafale provides India a decisive advantage in rapid-response and deep-strike missions, particularly along its western and northern frontiers.
President Murmu’s sortie, conducted at 15,000 feet and around 700 km/h, was piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron, fittingly known as the “Golden Arrows”, the first IAF unit to operate Rafales.
President Murmu’s Rafale sortie: What was her first reaction?
In her note in the visitor’s book, President Murmu described the experience as “unforgettable” and said it had instilled in her a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities. Before boarding, she donned a full G-suit and flight gear, interacting with the pilots and ground crew, a rare moment.
The President’s Rafale flight also aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to modernise its air fleet, boost indigenous defence production, and project strength on the global stage. The Rafale fleet’s operational success, notably during Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack, has underlined its role in enhancing India’s deterrence capability against regional threats.
This sortie was not merely a flight, it was a message of assurance and inspiration. President Murmu’s dual experiences in both Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale now stand as milestones in the evolving story of India’s air power and defence diplomacy.
