India's President Kalam to Fly in Su-30MKI

Posted on: May. 24th, 2006 || Source: outlookindia.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

After his maiden venture in a submarine, the first citizen of the country A P J Abdul Kalam wants to span the sky in a frontline fighter aircraft to become the first President to do so.

"Kalam, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has expressed desire to fly in a fighter aircraft," according to top Defence Ministry officals.

The President's date with the sky may work out in June 8 when he is likely to undertake a flight in Indian Air Force's frontline Russian fighter 'Sukhoi-30 MKI' from the Pune Airbase.

Earlier, only George Fernandes as Defence Minister had ventured to fly in a MIG-21 aircraft when faced with widespread criticism that the aircraft was a "flying coffin" given the number of accidents involving the plane.

Read the full article

• Eurofighter Tranche 2 Aircraft deliveries to Partner Nations Begins
• Hawgsmoke 2008 exercise to continue despite A-10 inspections
• Lockheed Receives Contract For Four C-130J Aircraft For Qatar
• Boeing Announces New Rotorcraft Program: AH-6
• Russia's arms sales to Venezuela for defense only - Lavrov
• Pentagon denies Iran forced down U.S. plane
• Boeing Awarded Initial Phase of Estimated $3 Billion Contract for C-17 Support
• B-52 squadrons set to swap out at Andersen
• Inspections ordered for A-10 Thunderbolt IIs
• DARPA Kills Oblique Flying Wing
• Stennis Puts New Growlers to the Test
• Gripen NG shortlisted in Brazil
• Russia's UAC optimistic over Indian fighter tender
• Russia's MiG fighter contract with Algeria 'still in effect'
• Sukhoi starts testing 2nd Su-35 fighter prototype