Sortie in Prachand has filled me with a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities: Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu inside the cockpit of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand during a sortie at Air Force Station Jaisalmer on Friday.
JAISALMER: President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Friday.
The mission was carried out in a two-aircraft Light Combat Helicopter formation. President Droupadi Murmu flew in the lead aircraft with Gp Capt Nayan Shantilal Bahua. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Gp Capt A Mahendra flew as Number 2 in the second aircraft.
During the approximately 25-minute mission, the formation flew over Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort and carried out an attack on a tank target.
In a note written in the visitors’ book after the sortie, President Droupadi Murmu said the flight in India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter Prachand was an enriching experience. She stated that the sortie had filled her with a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities and congratulated the Indian Air Force and the team of Air Force Station Jaisalmer for successfully organising the mission.
Earlier, the President had undertaken sorties in the Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023 and the Rafale aircraft in 2025.
The President is also scheduled to witness the Indian Air Force’s Exercise Vayu Shakti in Jaisalmer later in the evening.
