On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu took her maiden sortie in a fighter aircraft at the Tezpur air base in Assam.
The President was flown by Group Captain Naveen Kumar Tiwari in a Sukhoi-30 MKI, a twin-seater multirole fighter jet developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under license by India’s aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This was a significant moment for the President, who donned an olive-green anti-gravity suit standardized by the Indian Air Force.
The President’s maiden flight marks a milestone in the country’s aviation history, as she became the first female President to fly in a fighter jet. The Sukhoi-30 MKI is known for its speed and agility, and it is the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet. The President’s flight is a testament to the advanced technology and world-class equipment that the Indian Air Force possesses, and it is a symbol of the country’s military prowess.
President Murmu’s flight was a part of her official visit to the state of Assam, where she was received at the airbase by Air Marshal S P Dharkar, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister was given a tour of the state-of-the-art machinery, fighter jets, and other military equipment at the airbase, highlighting the Indian Air Force’s technological advancements.
The Tezpur air base is located in the northeastern state of Assam and is one of the most strategically important airbases in the country. The base has played a vital role in protecting the nation’s borders and is equipped with the latest technology and equipment to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.