President Droupadi Murmu, the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces, took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday morning from the Air Force Station in Ambala, Haryana. With this, she became the first Indian president to fly in a Rafale jet from the Ambala Air Force Station.
President Murmu Takes Rafale Jet Sortie at Ambala on 29 October 2025
The President arrived at Ambala Air Force Station early on Wednesday, where she was welcomed by Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and other senior officers of the Indian Air Force. The sortie took place in a Rafale fighter jet, one of India’s most advanced combat aircraft, manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation.
A statement issued earlier by the Rashtrapati Bhavan had confirmed her plans: “The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Ambala, Haryana tomorrow where she will take a sortie in Rafale.”
Her participation highlights the strategic importance of the Rafale fleet, which forms a critical part of India’s aerial defence system.
Murmu’s Second Fighter Jet Sortie After Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023
This is not the first time President Droupadi Murmu has taken flight in a fighter jet. On 8 April 2023, she became the third Indian President and the second woman head of state to undertake a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.
Before her, Former Presidents A P J Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had also taken sorties in the Sukhoi-30 MKI. Kalam’s flight took place on 8 June 2006 at Lohegaon Air Force Station near Pune, while Patil’s historic sortie followed on 25 November 2009 at the same base.
Rafale Jets and Operation Sindoor: A Display of Air Power
The Rafale fighter jets gained renewed attention after their use in Operation Sindoor, launched by India on 7 May 2025. The operation was a response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack and aimed at dismantling terror infrastructures in Pakistan-controlled territories.
The precision strikes led to four days of intense cross-border skirmishes that concluded on 10 May following an understanding to cease hostilities. The mission reaffirmed the Rafale’s superior strike capability and India’s readiness to respond to security threats.
Rafale Induction into the Indian Air Force in 2020
The Rafale fighter aircraft were formally inducted into the Indian Air Force on 10 September 2020 at Ambala Air Force Station. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived from France on 27 July 2020 and joined the 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’, which has since become synonymous with India’s elite air combat unit.
The aircraft, known for its versatility and advanced avionics, has been a game-changer for India’s aerial strength. It is capable of performing air supremacy, reconnaissance, and deep strike missions with precision.
Inputs from agencies
#WATCH | Haryana: President Droupadi Murmu takes off in a Rafale aircraft from the Ambala Air Force Station pic.twitter.com/XP0gy8cYRH
— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2025
President Murmu Takes Rafale Jet Sortie at Ambala on 29 October 2025
The President arrived at Ambala Air Force Station early on Wednesday, where she was welcomed by Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and other senior officers of the Indian Air Force. The sortie took place in a Rafale fighter jet, one of India’s most advanced combat aircraft, manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation.
VIDEO | VIDEO | Air Force Base, Ambala: President Droupadi Murmu boards Rafale jet. She will take a sortie in the fighter jet shortly.@rashtrapatibhvn @IAF_MCC
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 29, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/dzz1BJlXN1
A statement issued earlier by the Rashtrapati Bhavan had confirmed her plans: “The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Ambala, Haryana tomorrow where she will take a sortie in Rafale.”
Her participation highlights the strategic importance of the Rafale fleet, which forms a critical part of India’s aerial defence system.
Murmu’s Second Fighter Jet Sortie After Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023
This is not the first time President Droupadi Murmu has taken flight in a fighter jet. On 8 April 2023, she became the third Indian President and the second woman head of state to undertake a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.
Before her, Former Presidents A P J Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had also taken sorties in the Sukhoi-30 MKI. Kalam’s flight took place on 8 June 2006 at Lohegaon Air Force Station near Pune, while Patil’s historic sortie followed on 25 November 2009 at the same base.
Rafale Jets and Operation Sindoor: A Display of Air Power
The Rafale fighter jets gained renewed attention after their use in Operation Sindoor, launched by India on 7 May 2025. The operation was a response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack and aimed at dismantling terror infrastructures in Pakistan-controlled territories.
The precision strikes led to four days of intense cross-border skirmishes that concluded on 10 May following an understanding to cease hostilities. The mission reaffirmed the Rafale’s superior strike capability and India’s readiness to respond to security threats.
Rafale Induction into the Indian Air Force in 2020
The Rafale fighter aircraft were formally inducted into the Indian Air Force on 10 September 2020 at Ambala Air Force Station. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived from France on 27 July 2020 and joined the 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’, which has since become synonymous with India’s elite air combat unit.
The aircraft, known for its versatility and advanced avionics, has been a game-changer for India’s aerial strength. It is capable of performing air supremacy, reconnaissance, and deep strike missions with precision.
Inputs from agencies
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