President Droupadi Murmu flies Rafale at Ambala, first President to fly in two IAF fighters
President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale fighter at Air Force Station Ambala, Haryana, on 29 October 2025, becoming the first President of India to fly in two IAF fighter aircraft.
Summary
On 29 October 2025 at Air Force Station Ambala, Haryana, President Droupadi Murmu, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, flew a sortie in a Rafale fighter. She had earlier flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023, making her the first President of India to fly in two IAF fighter aircraft. The roughly 30-minute flight covered about 200 km at about 15,000 ft and about 700 km/h, piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron. Ambala was the first Air Force Station to receive Rafale aircraft from Dassault Aviation's facility in France.
Key facts
- Date/place
- 29 Oct 2025, Air Force Station Ambala, Haryana
- Aircraft
- Rafale
- First
- First President to fly in two IAF fighters (Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023)
- Flight
- About 30 min, ~200 km, ~15,000 ft, ~700 km/h
- Pilot
- Gp Capt Amit Gehani, CO, 17 Squadron
- Ambala
- First station to receive Rafales from France
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Before her Rafale sortie at Ambala on 29 October 2025, in which fighter aircraft had President Droupadi Murmu flown in 2023?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Sukhoi-30 MKI
PIB noted that she took a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023, making her the first President to fly in two IAF fighter aircraft.
At which Air Force Station did President Droupadi Murmu fly in a Rafale on 29 October 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Ambala
The sortie was flown at Air Force Station Ambala in Haryana.
Consider the following statements: 1. Ambala was the first Air Force Station to receive Rafale aircraft from Dassault Aviation's facility in France. 2. The President's Rafale was flown by the Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB says Ambala was the first station where Rafales arrived from France, and the aircraft was flown by Gp Capt Amit Gehani, CO of 17 Squadron.