President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday hailed the Indian Air Force and said that it is taking steps to be ever-ready, especially future-ready keeping in view the overall security scenario. She also said that the armed forces have to keep in mind an integrated perspective of defence preparedness. Speaking at the Combined Graduation Parade in Dundigal, Telangana, Murmu heaped praises on the Ministry of Defence and said I am happy to know about the indigenization efforts of the Ministry of Defense for realizing the national agenda of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.


“Armed forces have to keep in mind an integrated perspective of defence preparedness. I am happy to note that our Air Force is taking steps to be ever-ready, especially future-ready keeping in view the overall security scenario including the challenges of fighting a high-technology war,” President Murmu said, as quoted by the news agency ANI.






“I am also happy to know about the indigenization efforts of the Ministry of Defense for realizing the national agenda of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ she added.  


President also praised the Indian Air Force for inducting women officers in all roles and branches. She also said that there is a substantial number of women fighter pilots which is bound to increase. “I am glad that the Indian Air Force is now inducting women officers in all roles and branches. There is a substantial number of women fighter pilots which is bound to increase,” Murmu said.


“In April 2023, I flew a sortie in a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tejpur Air Force station in Assam. I flew for nearly 30 minutes covering Brahmaputra and Tejpur valleys with a great view of the Himalayas before returning to the Air force station. It was indeed a great experience to fly at a height of about 2 km above sea level at a speed of about 800 km/hour,” she added.


Droupadi Murmu reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 211th Course with full Military splendour at Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad on Saturday morning.


This is the first occasion in the history of AFA when the President is the reviewing officer, according to AFA officials.
CGP is held to mark the successful completion of the Pre-Commissioning Training of flight cadets of various branches of the Indian Airforce. During the parade, which marked the successful completion of training, ranks on the shoulders of the Flight Cadets are unveiled, representing the award of the President's Commission, an official statement said.


The RO also pins the 'Wings' and 'Brevets' on the chest of cadets, depending on the branch they are being commissioned into. The ceremony includes the presentation of 'Wings' and 'Brevets' to officers of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries, who the Air Force has trained, according to an official statement.


As per the release, the Flight Cadet of the Flying Branch standing first in the Order of Merit will be given the privilege of commanding the parade and will be awarded the 'Sword of Honour' and the President's Plaque in recognition of his/her performance.


The Flight Cadet standing first in the overall Order of Merit in the Ground Duty branches will also be presented with the President's Plaque. The Parade will be followed by an aerobatic display by Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft, a Fly-past by the formation of PC-7, an aerobatic show by Su-30 and synchronous aerobatic displays by the helicopter display team 'Sarang' and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, added the release.


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