In Pics: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flies Sukhoi-30 MKI

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman before flying in an IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI plane, in Jodhpur. (PTI)

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman boards IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI plane for the sortie. (PTI)

Prior to the sortie, the minister was briefed by the pilot. (Twitter)

Wearing the pilot’s G-suit, the 58-year old Sitharaman sat in the rear seat behind the pilot in the cockpit of IAF’s frontline combat. (PTI)

The Defence Minister waves from the cock-pit of IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI plane before taking off for the sortie. (PTI)

The country's first woman defence minister described the 30-minute sortie as "wonderful". (PTI)