New Delhi: If all goes as per schedule, President Droupadi Murmu will create history on Wednesday by becoming the only woman President in the world to have flown in the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighter jets.
In fact, she may also clinch the title of becoming the only President in the world – either male or female – to fly in these aircraft. Indonesia is probably the only other country in the world, apart from India, to operate both Sukhois and Rafales, but there is nothing on record to show that any of that country’s presidents ever flew in any of these aircraft.
While the Su-30 MKI is of Russian origin, the Rafale is a French aircraft.
“The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Ambala, Haryana, tomorrow, where she will take a sortie in a Rafale,” Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a statement on Tuesday.
President Murmu’s visit was earlier scheduled for October, but that was postponed. The visit is being held as part of an Indian Air Force (IAF) programme at Air Force Station Ambala.
President Murmu took a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on April 8, 2023.
Notably, both Sukhois and Rafales played active roles during Operation Sindoor.
During her visit, a special ceremony will be held at the Air Force base that will be attended by several senior military officials and dignitaries. President Murmu will interact with Air Force officers at the event and receive briefings on the country’s security and defence preparedness.