Prachand helicopter powers historic President’s desert mission
PRESIDENT OF INDIA TO TAKE SORTIE IN INDIGENOUS LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER (PRACHAND) TOMORROW
The Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, tomorrow (February 27, 2026) to witness the Indian Air Force’s Exercise Vayu Shakti. Before the exercise, the Hon’ble President will fly a sortie in an indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) at Jaisalmer. The mission will be undertaken as a two-aircraft LCH formation, with Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, flying in the second LCH.
This visit is very important because the President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. When the President flies in a military aircraft, it shows strong support for the country’s defence forces and the nation’s own technology. It also sends a clear message that India is proud of its indigenous defence equipment. In the past, Presidents have flown in fighter jets such as the Sukhoi-30 MKI, which showed the strength and capability of the Indian Air Force.
The Light Combat Helicopter, also known as Prachand, is one of India’s most advanced military helicopters. The name Prachand means fierce, and it truly reflects the helicopter’s power. It has been designed and built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This makes it a major achievement under India’s push for self-reliance in defence production. The helicopter was officially inducted into the Indian Air Force in October 2022. Its induction was seen as a proud moment for the country.
Prachand has been specially designed to operate in high-altitude areas such as the Himalayas. This is very important for India because of its borders with countries like China and Pakistan. Many areas along these borders are very high and difficult to reach. Normal helicopters often face problems flying there due to the thin air. However, Prachand can take off and land even at heights above 5,000 metres. This gives India a big advantage in mountain warfare.
The helicopter is equipped with modern weapons and technology. It has a powerful gun mounted on its nose that can fire rapidly in combat. It can also carry rockets and missiles. These weapons help it attack enemy tanks, bunkers, and other targets. It also has advanced sensors and cameras. These allow pilots to see clearly even at night and in bad weather. This makes Prachand useful in both day and night operations.
The sortie will take place in Jaisalmer, which is an important military location in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is close to the India-Pakistan border. Because of this, the Indian Air Force often conducts exercises there. The desert area provides a good environment for practising real combat situations. The Air Force uses these exercises to test its strength, equipment, and readiness.
Exercise Vayu Shakti is one of the biggest and most important exercises of the Indian Air Force. It is a live fire exercise, which means real weapons are used. Fighter jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft take part in it. They demonstrate their ability to attack targets, defend the country, and support ground forces. These exercises help improve coordination between different units of the Air Force.
Such exercises also show India’s defence capability to the world. They help boost the confidence of the country’s citizens. They also send a strong signal that the Indian Air Force is always ready to protect the nation. The exercise usually includes aircraft like the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Tejas, Jaguar, and Mirage-2000. These aircraft perform different roles such as air attack, ground support, and surveillance.
The presence of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh in the second helicopter is also very important. The Chief of the Air Staff is the head of the Indian Air Force. His participation shows the importance of the event. It also shows trust in the indigenous helicopter. When top military leaders fly in such aircraft, it proves their confidence in its safety and performance.
This sortie will also help highlight India’s growing strength in defence manufacturing. For many years, India depended on other countries for military equipment. But now, India is making its own fighter jets, helicopters, and missiles. This helps the country save money and become stronger. It also creates jobs and supports Indian industries.
India’s focus on indigenous defence production has increased in recent years. The government has encouraged Indian companies to design and build military equipment. Projects like Prachand and the Tejas fighter jet are examples of this effort. These achievements show that India is moving forward and becoming more self-reliant.
The President’s flight in Prachand is not just a routine event. It is a proud moment for the country. It shows faith in Indian technology and the brave men and women of the Indian Air Force. It also reminds people of the hard work done by engineers, scientists, and defence personnel.
As the President witnesses Exercise Vayu Shakti and flies in Prachand, it will highlight India’s defence strength and progress. It will also inspire confidence among citizens and defence forces. This event will remain an important symbol of India’s growing power and self-reliance in defence.
