President of India Makes a Historic Sortie on the Sukhoi 30 Mki Fighter Aircraft

"It was a wonderful and unique experience", said the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on landing after she made a historic sortie on the Sukhoi 30 MKI Fighter Aircraft at the Lohegaon Air Force Station, Pune today. The aircraft was flown by Wing Commander Sajan of the 30 Squadron. During her nearly half hour sortie, the President flew over an area covering Rajgurunagar, Shirur, Daund and Baramati before returning to the Air Force Station. The President flew at a height of about 2 kilometers above sea level and at a speed of about 800 kilometers per hour. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, P.V. Naik and the Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC- in- C) of the South Western Air Command, Air Marshal P.S. Bhangu were also present.

After returning from the sortie, The President said she felt reassured about the capability of the Defence Forces and skill and expertise of the pilots of the Indian Air Force and said that the Defence Forces have the strength to protect our borders. The sortie was an opportunity for her to get a close look at the sophisticated equipment used in the Sukhoi 30 MKI.

Later in the day, the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry Medvedev spoke to the President and said that the historic sortie by the President of India has furthered strengthened the friendship, co-operation and partnership between the two countries. The President of India reciprocated these sentiments.

This release issued at 1855 hrs.