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President Murmu inspected the parade while standing in a jeep and is scheduled to interact with Air Force officers and personnel, reviewing various operational units at the base.
Tight security for the visit
Stringent security arrangements have been enforced around the airbase. Drone operations have been banned, and entry is restricted to authorized personnel only. Mobile phones are prohibited within the premises for security reasons.
President to take Rafale sortie
After the inspection, the President will fly in a Rafale fighter jet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the IAF fleet. Ambala serves as the main base for India’s Rafale squadron. She will also receive a briefing on the jet’s systems, safety protocols, and operations, and is expected to discuss defense preparedness, women’s role in the armed forces, and modernization efforts with officers.
President Murmu’s visit reflects her continued engagement with national defense initiatives and her support for the armed forces.
Rafale’s induction into IAF
India acquired Rafale jets from France, with the first batch of five aircraft arriving on July 27, 2020. They were formally inducted on September 10, 2020, at Ambala in the presence of then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Florence Parly. The aircraft were assigned to the 17th Squadron “Golden Arrows.”
Notably, Rajnath Singh had also flown a Rafale sortie during the induction ceremony.
