OREANDA-NEWS. November 26, 2009. Today President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil has flown in a modern aircraft of the Indian Air Force - multi-role fighter jet aircraft Su-30MKI produced by the Irkut Corporation.

Shortly after landing on the Lohegaon military base near Pune city 74 year old head of state who is at the same time the Supreme commander in chief of Indian armed forces said to the press that the sortie was an opportunity for her to get a close look at the sophisticated equipment used in the Sukhoi 30 MKI.

President Pratibha Patil entered become the first woman head of state to fly in a fighter jet aircraft. Before this only men-presidents flew the modern supersonic aircrafts. The previous Indian President  Abdul Kalam flew the Su-30MKI aircraft in 2006.

In India this plane became "a subject of national pride". It takes part in all military parades and the aviation exhibitions held in the country, successfully represents the national Air Forces on the international military games. Its image is placed on the anniversary coin which has been let out to the 75 anniversary of the Air Forces of India.