Historic sortie by the President
President Murmu Flies Prachand Combat Helicopter: On 27 February 2026, President Droupadi Murmu created history by undertaking a 25-minute sortie in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand near the India–Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. She flew as a co-pilot from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station, becoming the first President of India to fly in an attack helicopter.
The President wore an olive green flying suit and completed the flight after receiving a detailed operational briefing from the Indian Air Force (IAF). The sortie symbolised confidence in India’s expanding indigenous military aviation capabilities.
The event also highlighted India’s strategic preparedness in sensitive border regions and showcased the progress of domestic defence manufacturing.
Static GK fact: The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, a constitutional role defined under Article 53 of the Constitution of India.
LCH Prachand and India’s indigenous defence strength
The Light Combat Helicopter Prachand is India’s first indigenously designed and developed attack helicopter. It was built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to meet the operational needs of both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.
The helicopter is designed to operate effectively in high-altitude and extreme terrain, making it suitable for deployment along mountain borders such as Ladakh and the western sector.
Important features include advanced avionics, stealth characteristics, and the ability to conduct night combat operations. It is equipped with air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, rockets, and a 20 mm turret gun, giving it strong offensive capabilities.
Static GK Tip: The HAL headquarters is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and it is one of India’s oldest aerospace and defence manufacturing organizations.
Growing engagement with frontline aircraft
President Murmu’s Prachand flight is part of her continued engagement with the frontline platforms of the Indian Air Force.
In April 2023, she flew in a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet from Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam. Later, in October 2025, she undertook a sortie in the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft from Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana.
With the LCH Prachand sortie, she became the first Indian President to fly in two fighter jets and an attack helicopter, highlighting the symbolic connection between the presidency and the armed forces.
Strategic significance near the Pakistan border
The helicopter flight took place near the Pokhran firing range, where the Indian Air Force’s Vayu Shakti exercise was scheduled. This exercise demonstrates day, dusk, and night combat capabilities of various air platforms.
Flying near the Pakistan border highlighted India’s operational readiness and technological confidence. It also reinforced the government’s focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
The LCH Prachand, formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in October 2022 at Jodhpur, represents a major step toward strengthening India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology.
Static GK fact: Pokhran in Rajasthan is historically significant as the site of India’s nuclear tests in 1974 (Pokhran-I) and 1998 (Pokhran-II).
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
President Murmu Flies Prachand Combat Helicopter:
| Topic | Detail |
| Historic event | President Droupadi Murmu flew LCH Prachand on 27 February 2026 |
| Aircraft | Light Combat Helicopter Prachand |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Location of sortie | Jaisalmer Air Force Station, Rajasthan |
| Duration of flight | Approximately 25 minutes |
| Military exercise location | Pokhran firing range |
| First achievement | First Indian President to fly in an attack helicopter |
| LCH induction | October 2022 at Jodhpur |
| Operational capability | High-altitude combat helicopter with advanced weapons |
| Strategic significance | Strengthens India’s indigenous defence manufacturing |
