In a strong show of confidence in India’s homegrown defence capabilities, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday flew in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. The 25-minute sortie made her one of the few Presidents to fly in a frontline combat platform and underscored her role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Clad in an olive-green flying suit and helmet, the President boarded the combat helicopter at the Air Force Station in Jaisalmer after receiving a detailed operational briefing from Indian Air Force officials. The helicopter flew over the desert terrain close to the western border, an area of key strategic importance.
During the flight, President Murmu described the helicopter as a proud symbol of India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. She praised the courage and commitment of the armed forces and conveyed her good wishes to personnel safeguarding the nation under challenging conditions.
The LCH ‘Prachand’, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is India’s first indigenously designed and built attack helicopter. Designed to operate in extreme environments, from high-altitude regions to deserts, it is equipped with advanced avionics and modern weapon systems, significantly boosting the Indian Air Force’s combat strength.
The President’s sortie came ahead of the Indian Air Force’s major firepower exercise at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, where she was scheduled to witness operational demonstrations showcasing aerial strike capabilities and combat preparedness.
President Murmu has earlier flown in fighter aircraft as well, reflecting her continued engagement with the armed forces.
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