President Droupadi Murmu’s Rafale Sortie Silences Pakistan’s Propaganda, Showcases India’s Air Power and Women’s Leadership in Combat

President Murmu Takes Historic Rafale Sortie

Ambala: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday created history by flying in a Rafale fighter jet from the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. The 30-minute sortie — her first in India’s most advanced combat aircraft — symbolised the nation’s confidence in its aerial prowess and the expanding role of women in the armed forces.

Murmu described the experience as “unforgettable” and wrote in the visitors’ book, “This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities.” She also congratulated the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ambala base team for the successful organisation of the mission.

The President’s sortie was accompanied by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who flew in a separate Rafale aircraft. With this, Murmu became the first Indian President to fly in two IAF fighter jets — following her earlier Sukhoi-30 MKI sortie from Tezpur Air Force Station in April 2023.

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A Symbolic Moment: Dispelling Disinformation

The event carried added significance beyond its ceremonial importance. Following the sortie, President Murmu was seen with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, the IAF’s first woman Rafale pilot and a member of the Golden Arrows Squadron. The moment effectively refuted Pakistan’s false propaganda that Singh had been shot down and captured during Operation Sindoor earlier this year.

Pakistan had claimed that India lost several aircraft, including a Rafale, during precision strikes conducted in May on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit had swiftly dismissed these allegations, calling the circulated videos and statements “baseless and fabricated.”

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The Rise of Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh

At just 29, Shivangi Singh represents the new face of India’s air combat leadership. Hailing from Varanasi, she joined the IAF in 2017 as part of its second batch of women fighter pilots. Initially flying the MiG-21 Bison, one of the world’s oldest operational jets, she transitioned to the Rafale in 2020, symbolising the technological and cultural leap within the IAF.

Singh played a critical operational role during Operation Sindoor, India’s precision air campaign against cross-border terror networks. Recently, she was honoured by Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, Senior Air Staff Officer of the IAF’s Training Command, after earning her Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) badge on October 9, 2025, at the Flying Instructors School in Tambaram, Tamil Nadu.

Her journey from cadet to instructor and Rafale pilot reflects both the expanding inclusion of women in combat aviation and the IAF’s commitment to nurturing next-generation leaders.

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Strengthening National Confidence

Defence analysts noted that President Murmu’s sortie was both a morale-booster for the armed forces and a statement of national resolve. “It sends a clear message that India’s air power remains unmatched in the region, and misinformation campaigns will not weaken public confidence in the forces,” said Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Anil Chopra, a defence expert.

The Rafale — a 4.5-generation multirole fighter equipped with advanced radar, long-range missiles, and precision strike capability — forms a core pillar of India’s aerial deterrence. The aircraft’s induction into the Golden Arrows Squadron at Ambala in 2020 marked a milestone in India’s defence modernization.

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A Blend of Power and Pride

The President’s Rafale sortie, coupled with her engagement with the country’s first woman Rafale pilot, encapsulates India’s evolving defence narrative — one that blends technological advancement, gender inclusion, and strategic confidence.

As Murmu wrote after her flight, “The Indian Air Force continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and excellence. My experience today reaffirms faith in our defence forces’ dedication and skill.”