A historic moment awaits at Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana on October 29, 2025. President Droupadi Murmu will take to the skies in a Rafale fighter jet, marking another milestone in her presidency. This event will highlight the growing defense capabilities of India, underlining her role as the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President Murmu is notably the first tribal woman and the second woman overall to hold this esteemed position.
Droupadi Murmu was born in a small tribal village in Odisha and became the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022, following Pranab Mukherjee as the second female president. Throughout her tenure, she has been a staunch advocate for women's empowerment and social justice, emphasizing that women need only the opportunity to excel in all fields.
President Murmu's previous experience in the cockpit was on April 8, 2023, at Assam's Tezpur Air Force Station, where she flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet. It was the third time an Indian President took flight in a fighter jet, showcasing her courage and the jet's incredible speed of over 2,000 kilometers per hour over a 30-minute flight. The President remarked on the remarkable experience and expressed pride in the strength of the Indian Air Force, inspiring women to join the military.
The Rafale is a cutting-edge 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, produced by France's Dassault Aviation. In 2016, India procured 36 Rafale jets for approximately Rs. 59,000 crores, which are crucial for aerial combat, ground attacks, and maritime patrol missions.
Key Features:
Equipped with advanced avionics (flight control systems), radar systems (capable of detecting enemies 200 km away), and precision-guided munitions for accuracy. The jet can reach speeds of 1,900 kilometers per hour and travel distances up to 3,700 kilometers.
The Role in India:
The Rafale strengthens the Indian Air Force's capabilities, with squadrons stationed at Ambala and Hashimara. President Murmu's upcoming flight will provide an up-close demonstration of the Rafale's prowess, lasting about 30-40 minutes. She will share her in-cockpit experience with Air Force pilots.
This flight transcends mere travel; it symbolizes India's might in defense. President Murmu's flight in a fighter jet sends a message of empowerment to women in the military and science sectors, displaying India's journey towards self-reliance in defense.
Defense Purpose: Jets like Rafale safeguard borders and boost morale among Air Force personnel.
Inspiration: President Murmu's tribal roots resonate with marginalized and tribal youth, urging them to dream big and achieve through perseverance.
Historical Context: Following her Sukhoi flight, she will become the first President to fly in a Rafale, continuing the legacy of former Presidents Pranab Mukherjee and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in fighter jets.
President Murmu has emphasized that the strength of the Indian military forms the basis of national defense. Proudly, she states, 'We are strong.' This flight will occur at the Ambala Air Force Station, located in Ambala City, Haryana, home to the Rafale Squadron No. 17, Golden Arrows.
