President Droupadi Murmu Makes Historic Flight in Rafale Fighter Jet Following Its Combat Debut in Operation Sindoor

President Droupadi Murmu has embarked on a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Ambala Air Force Base in Haryana, marking her second experience in a fighter aircraft.

Five months prior, Rafale jets from this same base were deployed during Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam attack, targeting terrorist camps across the border and delivering a strong anti-terrorism message from New Delhi.

Murmu, dressed in an anti-gravity suit, entered the cockpit with confidence before the French-manufactured aircraft took off into the foggy skies.

As the Supreme Commander of India's Armed Forces, Murmu had previously flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI jet at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on April 8, 2023. This achievement made her the third president and second female head of state to experience such a flight. Former presidents APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had also flown in the Sukhoi-30 MKI near Pune at Lohegaon.

Murmu's Rafale flight marks the first time an Indian president has flown in this aircraft, which is manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. The Rafale jets became part of the Indian Air Force fleet in 2020, stationed at the Ambala airbase as part of the 17 Squadron, known as the 'Golden Arrows'.

These French-built fighter jets made their combat debut during the post-Pahalgam operations in May. Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7 to respond to the deaths of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, with Rafale jets conducting precision strikes against terrorist targets deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The military action led to intense border exchanges, eventually resulting in Pakistan requesting a ceasefire on May 10.