President Murmu Flies ‘Prachand’ in Historic Sortie in India’s Indigenous Combat Helicopter

Honorable President of India Droupadi Murmu made history on 27 February 2026 by flying a 25-minute sortie in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Clad in an olive green flying suit, she flew as co pilot from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station. With this flight, she became the first Indian President to undertake a sortie in an attack helicopter, marking a significant moment for India’s defence and indigenous military capabilities.

President Murmu LCH Prachand Sortie 2026: What Happened in Jaisalmer?

• The historic sortie took off from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station after a detailed briefing by the Indian Air Force.
• Before departure, President Murmu waved from the cockpit, symbolizing confidence and pride in India’s air power.
• During the flight, she delivered a message from the cockpit, calling LCH Prachand a “powerful symbol of self-reliance.”
• She extended greetings to soldiers guarding the nation and saluted their dedication near the sensitive India–Pakistan border region.

LCH Prachand: India’s First Indigenous Combat Helicopter

The LCH Prachand is the India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter. It has been built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Key features of LCH Prachand include,

• Advanced avionics and stealth characteristics
• Night attack capability
• Air to air and air to ground missiles
• 20 mm turret gun and rockets
• High altitude operational capabilities

The induction of LCH Prachand significantly enhances the combat readiness of the Indian Air Force.

President Murmu’s Growing Engagement with Frontline Platforms

• With the LCH Prachand sortie 2026, President Murmu added another milestone to her defense engagements.
• In April 2023, she flew in a Sukhoi Su-30MKI at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.
• In October 2025, she undertook a sortie in a Dassault Rafale at Ambala Air Force Station.
• Now, by flying in LCH Prachand, she has become the first Indian President to fly in two different fighter aircraft and an attack helicopter of the IAF.

Vayu Shakti 2026 and Strategic Significance

• The helicopter flew over the Pokharan firing range, where the IAF was scheduled to conduct its firepower demonstration, Vayu Shakti.
• President Murmu is set to witness the day-dusk-night combat demonstration.
• Flying near the Pakistan border underlines India’s operational preparedness and technological confidence.
• The sortie also reinforces the message of defence self-reliance under India’s indigenous manufacturing push.

Background: Evolution of LCH Prachand

• The Light Combat Helicopter project was developed to meet India’s requirement for a high-altitude attack helicopter capable of operating in extreme terrains, including mountainous regions.
• Formally inducted into the IAF in October 2022 at Jodhpur, LCH Prachand was designed to support both the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
• It is particularly suited for deployment in border areas and high-altitude sectors.
• The platform represents India’s growing aerospace manufacturing capability and commitment to indigenous defense production.

Question

Q. LCH ‘Prachand’ is manufactured by,

A) DRDO
B) ISRO
C) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
D) Bharat Electronics Limited