New Delhi: President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is scheduled to undertake a significant flight on October 29, 2025, as she takes a sortie in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft, the Rafale.
The high-profile event will take place at the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana, one of the primary bases for the French-built multi-role fighter jets.
Key Highlights of the Sortie:
- First President to Fly the Rafale: Smt. Murmu will be the first Indian President to fly in the advanced 4.5 generation Rafale fighter aircraft .
- Second Fighter Jet Sortie: This marks her second sortie in a combat jet. She previously flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station, Assam, on April 8, 2023.
- Presidential Precedent: She continues a distinguished tradition set by former Presidents, including Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Smt. Pratibha Patil, who also took sorties in the Su-30 MKI. President Murmu is the third President and the second woman President to undertake such an aerial experience.
This sortie is more than just a ceremonial flight; it serves to underscore the operational prowess of the Indian Air Force, reaffirming India’s commitment to advanced air defense capabilities and showcasing the modernization of its air fleet.
The Rafale jets, known for their multi-role capability, advanced weapons, and sensors, were formally inducted into the IAF in September 2020 at the Ambala Air Force Station. The President’s flight will undoubtedly be a potent symbol of her role as the Supreme Commander and a tribute to the air warriors of the nation.