Picture Credit : @rashtrapatibhvn/X
Clad in an olive-green flying suit and helmet, President Droupadi Murmu took a 25-minute sortie as co-pilot in Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer district.
According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the helicopter took off from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station after the president was briefed by the captain. She waved from the cockpit before departure. During the flight, Murmu — the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces — delivered a message to the nation from the cockpit.
President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The President said that we are extremely proud of our country’s brave air warriors. She described LCH Prachand as a powerful symbol of… pic.twitter.com/AbtCgBkLWi
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 27, 2026
“Prachand helicopter is a powerful symbol of self-reliance. At this moment, I am flying over the Jaisalmer district. I extend my heartfelt greetings and deepest gratitude to our brave soldiers. A warm salute to you, Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” she said.
The helicopter flew over the Pokharan firing range, where the IAF is scheduled to conduct its firepower demonstration, ‘Vayu Shakti’, on Friday evening. Murmu will witness the day-dusk-night demonstration.
