Indian politicians who flew in Su-30
New Delhi Jan 17 (IANS) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday became the second woman politician to fly in a Su-30 fighter jet. Here is a list of political leaders who earlier flew in the Sukhoi 30 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam -- When then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam flew in a Su-30 in June 2003 he became the first head of state in India to fly in a fighter aircraft. Kalam who was an eminent scientist had flown the plane along with his co-pilot and later said he became a scientist only because he could not become a pilot. He was 74 years old at the time.
George Fernandes -- In June 2003 then Defence Minister George Fernandes put on the flying suit and took off in a Su-30 fighter jet from Lohegaon Air Force Station near Pune. He was 73 years old at the time.
Pratibha Devisingh Patil -- Then President Pratibha Patil flew in a Su-30 in November 2009 from the Indian Air Force Base in Lohegaon.
Rao Inderjit Singh -- Then Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh flew in a Su-30 from Hindon air base near Delhi in August 2015.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy -- The BJP leader who is a trained pilot flew a Su-30 in February 2015 at the Aero India show in Bengaluru.
Kiren Rijiju -- The Minister of State for Home flew in a Su-30 from Halwara airbase in Punjab in May 2016.
--IANS
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