In pics: Nirmala Sitharaman becomes first woman Defence Minister to fly in IAF`s Sukhoi Su 30

JODHPUR: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday took off in the Indian Air Force's frontline combat jet Sukhoi 30 MKI from the air base in Jodhpur.

Dressed in the pilot's G-suit, the country's first woman Defence Minister sat in the rear seat behind the pilot. She is the first full-time woman Defence Minister to fly the sortie.

She is reportedly reviewing the operational preparedness and combat capabilities.

Sukoi-30 MKI is a nuclear-capable aircraft which can penetrate deep into enemy territory.

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She also met the Air Warriors at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur before her sortie on the Sukhoi-30 MKI.

This sortie comes soon after she visited INS Vikramaditya last week to witness the naval operations and maritime prowess of the Indian Navy.

This flight is being seen as a part of the minister's continued efforts to gauge and review the operational preparedness and combat capabilities of the armed forces.