The president described the flight as a 'unique experience'

Indian President Pratibha Patil has flown in a fighter jet, becoming the country's first woman to fly in a combat plane.

Mrs Patil, 74, described her 30-minute flight in a two-seater Sukhoi jet as "a wonderful and unique experience".

The president was a co-passenger in the jet that flew above an air force base near the city of Pune in western India.

She also set a world record by becoming the oldest woman to be airborne in a combat jet, Indian officials claim.

"I was familiarised with the manoeuvring of the aircraft which has a very sophisticated way of handling it. I had the opportunity to fly in the most technically advanced aircraft," Mrs Patil told a press conference in Pune city after her flight.

Symbolic

"I am reassured that our pilots and the defence forces have the required skills and expertise. I am reassured that we have the expertise and strength to protect our borders," she said.

Earlier, a confident-looking president sat in the co-pilot's seat in the cockpit and waved to people gathered at the airbase.

Mrs Patil, who always appears in public in traditional Indian saris, wore a special khaki green "G-suit" worn by fighter pilots to counter gravitational effect due to any high-speed air manoeuvres.

She is the second Indian president after APJ Abdul Kalam to fly in a Sukhoi.

India's presidents have largely symbolic duties, including official command of the country's military.