- A sovereign salute to India’s indigenous war machine, as courage meets cutting-edge combat engineering
- Supreme Commander’s daring aerial mission reaffirms faith in Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Indian Air Force’s lethal readiness
- A defining moment of national pride, symbolising India’s ascent as a self-reliant aerospace and defence power
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
POKHRAN, RAJASTHAN, FEB 27
In a stirring reaffirmation of India’s sovereign defence prowess and indigenous aerospace excellence, President Droupadi Murmu, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, undertook a historic sortie in the indigenously developed HAL Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer on Friday — a defining flight that symbolised the nation’s unstoppable march toward strategic self-reliance.
The mission, conducted in the unforgiving desert skies of Rajasthan, was executed as a precision two-aircraft combat formation. The President flew in the lead helicopter alongside Group Captain Nayan Shantilal Bahua, while Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, accompanied by Group Captain A. Mahendra, flew as Number Two in the trailing aircraft.
During the approximately 25-minute sortie, the formation flew over iconic landmarks including Gadisar Lake and the majestic Jaisalmer Fort before executing a simulated attack on a designated tank target — demonstrating the helicopter’s formidable combat capability, manoeuvrability, and precision strike potential in desert warfare scenarios.
This aerial mission marked yet another chapter in President Murmu’s inspiring engagement with India’s frontline combat platforms. She had earlier undertaken sorties in the Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 2023 and the Dassault Rafale in 2025, underscoring her deep and personal commitment to recognising the operational excellence and technological strength of India’s Armed Forces.
President Murmu’s inspiring words of pride
Deeply moved by the experience, the President recorded her reflections in the visitor’s book, capturing the emotion of the historic moment:
“The sortie in India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ is an enriching experience for me. This sortie has filled me with a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station Jaisalmer for successfully organising this sortie.”
Her words resonated far beyond the desert skies — echoing the spirit of a nation that has transformed from a defence importer into an emerging aerospace innovator.
A defining flight for a self-reliant India — President Murmu undertakes Prachand sortie, showcasing indigenous combat excellence and national confidence. Courtesy: PIB
Prachand: The steel nerve of India’s mountain and desert warfare
Designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Prachand represents the cutting edge of India’s rotary-wing combat capability. It is the only attack helicopter in its class capable of operating effectively at extreme altitudes exceeding 16,000 feet, making it uniquely suited for deployment along India’s mountainous frontiers and harsh desert theatres.
Equipped with advanced avionics, precision weapon systems, stealth features, and exceptional agility, Prachand significantly enhances India’s offensive and defensive posture. Its induction marks a strategic leap in strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
A symbol beyond flight — a nation rising on indigenous wings
President Murmu’s sortie was far more than a ceremonial flight. It was a powerful national signal — a message of confidence in India’s scientists, engineers, and warriors who are shaping the future of defence capability with indigenous innovation.
As the Prachand cut through the desert skies, it carried with it not just the Supreme Commander, but the collective pride, ambition, and technological confidence of a resurgent India — a nation firmly in command of its destiny.
