India's President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to fly in the country's most modern fighter jet, the Rafale, from the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana on Wednesday. This flight is not merely a formal event but is considered a symbol of the Indian Air Force's strength and the nation's commitment to defence.
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will fly in a Rafale fighter jet from the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana on Wednesday. An official statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday stated that the President's visit aims to understand the functioning and capabilities of the Indian Air Force. It is noteworthy that Rafale fighter jets were recently used in 'Operation Sindoor', which was launched in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
Has Flown in Fighter Jets Before
This is not the first time President Murmu will fly in a fighter jet. Previously, on April 8, 2023, she flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet from the Tezpur Airbase in Assam. With that flight, she became the third President and the second woman President in Indian history to fly in a fighter jet. Prior to her, former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam flew in a Sukhoi-30 in 2006, and Pratibha Patil in 2009.
President Murmu is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, and her action not only demonstrates solidarity with the military forces but also indicates that India's highest constitutional authority takes pride in the nation's military preparedness and technological advancement.
Rafale: India's Aerial Prowess
The Rafale fighter jet is manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation. It was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in September 2020. The first five Rafale aircraft were brought to India from France on July 27, 2020, and were inducted into the 17th Squadron 'Golden Arrows'. The Rafale's specialties include its 4.5 generation multi-role capability, high-speed avionics, and modern weapon systems like HAMMER and SCALP missiles, which rank it among Asia's most powerful fighter jets. It is capable of precise attacks day and night, in all weather conditions.
The power of the Rafale was recently demonstrated again when it was used by the Indian Air Force in 'Operation Sindoor'. This military operation was launched on May 7, 2025, to destroy terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied territories. Earlier, on April 22, several security personnel were martyred in a terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response, the Indian Army and Air Force launched a joint operation. Rafale aircraft penetrated deep into enemy territory during this operation, striking terrorist hideouts with precision, causing significant damage to Pakistan. This four-day operation concluded on May 10 after military-level talks between the two countries.
Message from the President's Flight
President Droupadi Murmu's flight is a moment of national pride. It presents a picture of India that sees women in powerful leadership roles and takes pride in the modernity of its armed forces. Her flight also demonstrates that India is now firmly advancing on the path of defence self-reliance and technological superiority.
