President Murmu Joins Sortie in Rafale Fighter Jet in Ambala

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 30 October 2025

• President Droupadi Murmu became the first Indian President to fly on a Rafale fighter jet
• The flight was carried out at Air Force Station Ambala located in Haryana
• Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew with her with Group Captain Amit Gehani

President Droupadi Murmu made history as the first Indian president to fly in a Rafale fighter jet at Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana.

She was joined in the aircraft by Air Chief Marshal D.P. Singh and flown under the direction of Group Captain Amit Gehani, who is in command of the 17 Squadron.

This was not simply a ceremonial flight, as President Murmu had the opportunity to emphasize her role as Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, which provided a platform for her to emphasize Indian commitment to continuing its defense goals.

To both the Indian Air Force and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the flight represented a reconvergence of commitment between civil service and military leaders, while also framing the flight as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat agenda in connection with defense readiness.

The Rafale fighter jet, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2020, and is currently a key component of Indian air defense and has advanced application capabilities including precision strikes, electronic warfare and reconnaissance, among other operational missions.

While on the sortie, President Murmu met Shivangi Singh, India's first female Rafale pilot, consolidating support for women fighters. The meeting also debunked false reports circulating about Singh's capture during Operation Sindoor.

President Murmu was given meticulous briefings on the operations of Rafale, including its participation in recent missions like Operation Sindoor, which hit at terrorist infrastructure in areas under Pakistan control earlier in 2025. The Air Force referred to the sortie as a display of faith by the nation's leadership in the preparedness and effectiveness of the defence forces.

At the end of the flight, President Murmu has signed the visitor's book saying that the experience had increased her pride in the defense capabilities of India and praised the Indian Air Force and the Ambala Air Force Station for planning the sortie.