By: The Trek News Desk
President Droupadi Murmu created history on Wednesday by taking a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. It marked the first time in India’s history that a sitting President has flown in the French-made multirole combat aircraft, a key component of the Indian Air Force’s modern fleet.
The flight showcased India’s growing defence confidence and the Air Force’s operational capability. Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of Air Staff, also joined the mission by flying a second Rafale jet, making it a coordinated two-aircraft operation.
Assisted by India’s First Woman Rafale Pilot
President Murmu was assisted into the Rafale cockpit by Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, the first Indian woman pilot trained to fly the aircraft. Singh has been a trailblazer in the IAF and a symbol of the growing participation of women in India’s defence forces.
She had earlier been the subject of false Pakistani propaganda during “Operation Sindoor,” when Islamabad falsely claimed that her jet had been shot down and that she was captured. The Indian Air Force swiftly dismissed the claim, releasing photos of Singh to disprove the misinformation.
Originally from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Shivangi Singh was commissioned into the IAF in 2017. She first flew MiG-21 aircraft at a base in Rajasthan before joining the Rafale squadron in 2020.
The Sortie and Its Flight Path
The President arrived in Ambala around 9:30 a.m., where she was received by Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh and given a ceremonial guard of honour. Donning a G-suit and helmet, President Murmu boarded the Rafale alongside the aircraft’s commanding pilot, Group Captain Amit Gehani, who heads the IAF’s No. 17 Squadron, known as the “Golden Arrows.”
The 30-minute sortie covered nearly 100 miles around Ambala and demonstrated the Rafale’s high-speed manoeuvres, altitude capabilities, and advanced avionics. Following the flight, President Murmu posed for photographs with Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh in front of the aircraft, an image that quickly went viral on social media.
“An Unforgettable Experience,” says President Murmu
After the sortie, President Murmu penned a note in the Air Force visitors’ book, writing, “My maiden flight in the Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station Ambala has been an unforgettable experience. This powerful aircraft reflects the immense capabilities of our defence forces. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire Ambala team for successfully organising this sortie.”
Symbol of Women’s Leadership and National Pride
President Murmu’s flight was more than a ceremonial event; it symbolised the evolving role of women in leadership and the nation’s growing pride in its defence modernisation. Across social media, citizens hailed the moment as “inspiring” and “historic,” emphasising its motivational value for young aviators, especially women.
This sortie marks President Murmu’s second major aviation milestone. In 2023, she became the first Indian head of state to fly in a Sukhoi-30 MKI, making her the only President to have taken sorties in two front-line fighter aircraft of the IAF.
Strategic Significance
The Ambala Air Force Station is home to the No. 17 Squadron “Golden Arrows,” one of India’s two Rafale squadrons. The same unit played a crucial role in “Operation Sindoor,” which targeted terror infrastructure and strategic military positions inside Pakistan.
President Murmu’s flight from this base underscores India’s air readiness and showcases the Rafale’s precision and agility, reaffirming the nation’s defence preparedness amid a complex regional security environment.
President Droupadi Murmu’s Rafale sortie was not merely a symbolic flight; it was a statement of India’s technological confidence, women’s empowerment, and the strong bond between civilian leadership and the armed forces. The historic moment has added a new chapter to India’s military and aviation legacy, inspiring pride across the nation.
Source: News Agencies
