From Sukhoi to Rafale: President Droupadi Murmu’s Sky Journey Showcases India’s Air Power
New Delhi: In a historic moment for India’s defence and aviation legacy, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday took to the skies aboard a Rafale fighter jet from the Indian Air Force’s Ambala Airbase — the same base from where Operation Sindoor was launched five months ago to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Murmu’s 30-minute sortie soared over the Ambala–Kurukshetra region, performing combat manoeuvres that demonstrated the Rafale’s cutting-edge capabilities. Prior to the flight, she was briefed by senior IAF officials and later lauded the professionalism and valour of the force.
Calling the experience “thrilling and unforgettable,” President Murmu said the flight deepened her respect for India’s defence forces and strengthened her pride in the nation’s growing air power.
“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. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station, Ambala for… pic.twitter.com/Ud3LX8uqBU
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 29, 2025
“This first flight 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 at Air Force Station Ambala for successfully organising this sortie,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Officials said the flight not only highlights India’s expanding military prowess but also marks a powerful symbol of women’s empowerment — with the country’s first tribal woman President taking command in one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets.
This was President Murmu’s second fighter sortie. In April 2023, she had flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam, joining the ranks of former Presidents APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil.
Reflecting on her flight over the historic land of Kurukshetra and Brahm Sarovar, Murmu said the experience was both “spiritually enriching and nationally inspiring,” reinforcing her faith in the courage and capability of India’s armed forces.
