Defence Minister Sitharaman flies in Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft

Our Correspondent 

Jaipur, January 17 

After her recent visit to INS Vikramaditya, the aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday flew in the formidable Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft of 31 Squadron on her visit to Air Force Station Jodhpur. 

In her 45 minutes of sortie, she was demonstrated some of the unique characteristics and strengths of this mighty twin engine Air Superiority Fighter (ASF). 

She is the first woman defence minister of India to fly a sortie in an IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft, according a Defence Ministry PRO Lieutenant Colonel Manish Ojha here.       

To gauge the operational capability and preparedness of the defence forces, the minister has been visiting various establishments of the armed forces.

These visits go a long way in enhancing the motivation of the defence personnel as they get an opportunity to personally interact with the defence minister herself, Ojha said.       

After her sortie on the multi-role ASF, she addressed and interacted with the air warriors of the Air Force Station, Jodhpur, and congratulated them on their professionalism, high state of morale and motivation.

During the visit, she was also briefed on employment of air power in the defence of our country.

Owing to its versatile capabilities, Sukhoi-30 MKI forms an integral and the most potent component of our nation’s air power.