Def Min Sitharaman Flies in IAF’s Frontline Combat Jet Su-30 MKI

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman waves from the cockpit of the IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI before taking off for a sortie in Jodhpur on 17 January.

(Photo: PTI)

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman undertook a sortie in the IAF's frontline combat jet Sukhoi-30 MKI in the western sector of Rajasthan on 17 January.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman waves from the cockpit of the IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI before taking off for a sortie in Jodhpur on 17 January.(Photo: PTI)

The country's first woman defence minister described the 30-minute sortie as "wonderful".

Wearing the pilot's G-suit, the 58-year-old sat in the rear seat in the cockpit of IAF's frontline combat jet which took off from the Jodhpur air base. The plane flew towards the west of Jodhpur, sources said. Prior to the sortie, the minister was briefed by the pilot. She also familiarised herself with the formidable fighter jet and its cockpit.

Earlier, Sitharaman met IAF personnel at the air force station and reviewed the operational and combat preparedness of the force, sources said. The Sukhoi-30 MKI is a nuclear-capable aircraft which can penetrate deep into enemy territory.

(With PTI inputs.)