Indian president takes sortie in country's first indigenous combat helicopter
The helicopter, named “Prachand,” took off from the Indian Air Force station in Jaisalmer. Dressed in an olive green flying suit and helmet, the president waved from the cockpit before the aircraft lifted off.
India's President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday undertook a sortie as co-pilot in India's first indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) near the India–Pakistan border in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district.
The helicopter, named "Prachand," took off from the Indian Air Force station in Jaisalmer. Dressed in an olive green flying suit and helmet, the president waved from the cockpit before the aircraft lifted off.
The LCH "Prachand" has been developed and built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as part of India's push for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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Following the sortie, President Murmu described the LCH as "a powerful symbol of self-reliant India," highlighting the country's growing indigenous capabilities in advanced military aviation.
The Light Combat Helicopter is designed for high-altitude operations and is equipped to carry out a range of combat roles, including anti-tank and close air support missions.
The president's mission was undertaken as a two-aircraft LCH formation. While President Murmu flew in the lead aircraft with Group Capt Nayan Shantilal Bahua, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and Group Capt A Mahendra flew as Number 2 in the second aircraft.
During the approximately 25-minute mission, they flew over Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort and "attacked" a tank target where the IAF is holding a war-game.
During the approximately 25-minute mission, they flew over Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort and "attacked" a tank target where the IAF is holding a war game.
