President Droupadi Murmu takes a sortie on Light Combat Helicopter Prachand in Jaisalmer

JAISALMER: President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie on the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on Friday. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, flew alongside the Supreme Commander in the second LCH.

The President is in Jaisalmer to witness the IAF’s Exercise Vayu Shakti. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is demonstrating its prowess through Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran Air to Ground Range, Jaisalmer on February 27.

#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie on Light Combat Helicopter – PRACHAND in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan today.

(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/q8ICOpA3p7

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2026

As the first, fastest & fiercest responder, the Indian Air Force is highlighting its ability to rapidly punish the enemy, dominate operational environment from the outset and decisively influence the course of operations by transforming tactical actions into strategic outcomes. The exercise showcases a glimpse of how IAF plays a crucial role in humanitarian assistance & disaster management by providing rapid airlift and rescue & evacuation from conflict zones within the country as well as abroad.

Full spectrum operations by fighter, transport and helicopter platforms including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi- 30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) are going to be executed. The exercise will feature advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS), carrying out day, dusk and night missions.

राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मु ने आज जैसलमेर के पोखरण वायुसेना स्टेशन से स्वदेशी लाइट कॉम्बैट हेलीकॉप्टर ‘प्रचंड’ में उड़ान भरी और कॉकपिट से देश के नाम संदेश दिया।

‘प्रचंड’ HAL द्वारा विकसित स्वदेशी अटैक हेलीकॉप्टर है, जो 5 हजार मीटर ऊंचाई पर ऑपरेशन में सक्षम है। प्रचंड की यह उड़ान… pic.twitter.com/HmaupzisKz

— PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) February 27, 2026

During the exercise, advanced fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, including Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, and Mirage 2000, will carry out precision strikes using air-to-ground guided bombs and missiles, accurately targeting enemy bunkers, runways, and command centres. Additionally, Boeing Apache and Boeing Chinook helicopters will perform low-altitude rocket and gun firing drills, casualty evacuation operations, and transportation of equipment to difficult battlefield terrains.

Vayushakti-26 will also highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, reaffirming IAF’s primacy in airspace dominance, long-range precision targeting, multi-domain operations and its ability to deliver decisive effects with indigenous platforms guided by the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Guided by the core values “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek”, the exercise aims to reassure the nation by reaffirming the IAF’s role as a key component of India’s national security architecture. (ANI)