President Murmu to Embark on Rafale Fighter Jet Sortie from Ambala
President Droupadi Murmu, who holds the position of Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, is scheduled to take a flight in a Rafale fighter jet from the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana on Wednesday, as announced by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.
The Rafale jet, produced by the French company Dassault Aviation, is recognized as one of the Indian Air Force's most advanced multirole fighter jets. These aircraft were officially incorporated into the IAF in September 2020, marking a significant advancement in India’s air combat capabilities.
According to a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, “The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Ambala, Haryana tomorrow where she will take a sortie in Rafale.”
A Tradition of Presidential Sorties
President Murmu is set to become the first Indian head of state to experience a flight in a Rafale, following a tradition of Indian Presidents taking sorties in IAF fighter jets.
Previously, she flew in a Sukhoi-30MKI on April 8, 2023, from the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam, thereby becoming the third President and the second woman head of state to do so.
Earlier, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had both taken sorties in Sukhoi-30MKI jets from Lohegaon Air Base, Pune, on June 8, 2006, and November 25, 2009, respectively.
Rafale’s Role in Operation Sindoor
The Rafale jets were integral to Operation Sindoor, which India launched in May 2025 following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. This operation aimed at targeting terrorist bases across the border and continued for four days until a ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10.
During the operation, the Rafale fleet, managed by the IAF’s esteemed 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’, showcased its precision strike capabilities, strengthening its reputation as a critical component of India’s air power.
Background
India took delivery of its initial batch of five Rafale jets from France on July 27, 2020, and they were formally inducted into the force at the Ambala Air Force Station two months later. Since then, the Rafale has been considered a transformative asset for India’s air superiority, offering exceptional agility and advanced electronic warfare systems.
The sortie by President Murmu aims to underline the operational proficiency of the IAF and exemplify India’s advancing air strength and defense readiness.
