Says, 'The first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in nation's defence capabilities
Warmly Welcomed by Haryana Energy Minister
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh/Ambala-
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, was accorded a warm welcome by Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, on behalf of the Haryana Government upon her arrival at Ambala Air Force Station today.
After a brief interaction with the Minister, President Murmu undertook a historic sortie in the country’s state-of-the-art fourth-generation multirole Rafale fighter aircraft from Ambala Air Force Station. She became the first President of India to fly in two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Earlier, in 2023, she made history by flying in a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.
As the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the President flew for approximately 30 minutes, covering a distance of around 200 kilometres. The aircraft was piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron. During the flight, the Rafale reached an altitude of about 15,000 feet and a speed of nearly 700 kilometres per hour.
On the occasion, the President was briefed in detail about the technical features, operational capabilities, and the strategic significance of the Rafale aircraft in strengthening India’s defence forces.
It is noteworthy that Ambala Air Force Station was the first base in India to receive the Rafale aircraft from France’s Dassault Aviation, marking a historic enhancement in the operational and strategic capabilities of the Indian Air Force.
During the programme, Energy Minister and other dignitaries joined the President for a group photograph. The event was attended by senior Air Force officers, Ambala Division Commissioner Sanjeev Verma, Ambala Range Pankaj Nain, Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar, Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Sekhawat, and other administrative officers.
President Murmu was accorded a warm welcome by Anil Vij on behalf of the State Government upon her arrival at the Ambala Air Force Station today.
Following a brief interaction with Minister Vij, The President Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala (Haryana) today. She is the first President of India to have taken sortie in two fighter aircrafts of the Indian Air Force. Earlier, she took a sortie in Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023. Air Force Station, Ambala is the first Air Force Station where Rafale aircrafts arrived from Dassault Aviation Facility, France.
The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, flew for approximately 30 minutes covering about 200 kilometers before returning to the Air Force Station. The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron. The aircraft flew at a height of about 15000 ft above sea level and at a speed of about 700 kilometers per hour.
Later in the visitor’s book, the President expressed her feelings by writing a brief note in which she said "I am delighted to visit Air Force Station Ambala for my maiden flight on Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The sortie on Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me. This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation's defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station, Ambala for organising this sortie successfully.”
On this occasion, the President was briefed in detail about the technical features, operational capabilities, and the strategic significance of the Rafale aircraft in strengthening India’s defence preparedness. During the event, Vij and other distinguished guests posed for a group photograph with the President.