Jaisalmer, February 27: President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, made history on Friday morning by flying the indigenously developed helicopter Prachanda from Jaisalmer Air Force Station.
The ICH Prachanda, inducted into the Air Force in response to the need for light combat helicopters, has further strengthened the Indian Air Force against Pakistan and China. Previously, the President has flown in Rafale and Sukhoi fighter aircraft.
The first Dhanush squadron of the multi-role light combat helicopter Prachanda has been formed in Jodhpur. These helicopters, specially designed to meet the future needs of the Indian Armed Forces, are effective in difficult terrain and dense mountainous terrain. They can be equipped with a variety of large bombs, guns, and missiles. While flying in the air and evading the enemy, the Apache helicopter can accurately target enemies hiding in hills and valleys. This precise aim ensures no wastage of ammunition.
Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Prachand is a fully Indian-made Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). It is specifically designed for high-altitude areas like Ladakh and Siachen.
President Murmu arrived at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, on Friday to witness the Indian Air Force’s powerful firepower exercise “Vayu Shakti.”
During the exercise, she flew a flight in the indigenous combat helicopter. This is the first time a President has flown in the LCH “Prachand.” During the flight, she also conducted an aerial survey of the “Vayu Shakti” exercise area. In the evening, the President attended the Indian Air Force’s largest firepower demonstration at the Pokhran Field Firing Range as the chief guest.
Murmu flew the Rafale aircraft from the Air Force Station in Ambala, Haryana, on October 29, 2025. She covered a distance of approximately 200 kilometres in a flight of about 30 minutes, after which she returned to the Air Force station. The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron. The aircraft flew at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet above sea level and at a speed of approximately 700 kilometres per hour. She had previously flown a Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023. She is the first President of India to fly in two fighter aircraft of the Air Force.