President Droupadi Murmu made history on Saturday by taking a flight in a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam. She is now the third President and second woman President to undertake such a sortie. As the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the President is on a three-day visit to Assam, and her flight lasted approximately 30 minutes, covering the Brahmaputra and Tezpur Valley with a view of the Himalayas before returning to the Air Force Station.
According to an official statement, Group Captain Naveen Kumar, Commanding Officer of the 106 Squadron, flew the aircraft at a height of about 2 kilometres above sea level and at a speed of about 800 km per hour. After completing her flight, Murmu told reporters that she felt good and that it was an exhilarating experience to fly in the mighty Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
In the visitor’s book, the President expressed her pride in India’s expanded defence capabilities that cover all the frontiers of land, air, and sea. She also congratulated the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station Tezpur for organizing this sortie. During her visit, the President was briefed on the operational capabilities of the aircraft and the Indian Air Force (IAF) and expressed satisfaction with the operational preparedness of the IAF.
The President’s flight in the Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft is part of her efforts to engage with the armed forces as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, according to the statement. The President’s historic sortie demonstrates her commitment to India’s defence capabilities and her willingness to engage with the armed forces.
