Jaisalmer | RBN News
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Thursday evening for a two-day official visit that includes participation in key defence-related engagements and scheduled public programmes.
A central highlight of the visit will be her planned sortie in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ at the Jaisalmer Air Force Station on Friday morning. The sortie will mark a significant moment in the President’s itinerary, underscoring India’s growing indigenous defence capabilities.
Following the flight, the President is scheduled to attend additional official engagements as part of her Rajasthan visit.
President to Fly in Indigenous Combat Helicopter
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter. It has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and developed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
The helicopter has been engineered to operate across varied terrains, including deserts, mountainous regions, and high-altitude areas. It is designed to perform roles such as air defence, anti-armour operations, close air support, and reconnaissance missions.
The President’s sortie is being seen as a symbolic endorsement of India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and the capabilities of domestic aerospace engineering.
Defence officials have stated that the demonstration will showcase the helicopter’s operational agility and technological features in a controlled environment.
Participation in ‘Vayu Shakti’ at Pokhran
Later in the evening, the President will attend the Indian Air Force’s large-scale operational demonstration exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, located near the India–Pakistan border.
‘Vayu Shakti’ is a periodic firepower demonstration conducted by the Indian Air Force to exhibit its operational preparedness and integrated combat capabilities.
The exercise is expected to feature a wide range of aircraft platforms and weapons systems, highlighting precision strike capabilities, coordinated operations, and real-time battlefield simulations.
The event is being held at the strategically significant Pokhran range, which has historically hosted major defence exercises and military testing activities.
Senior Leadership to Attend
In addition to the President, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma are scheduled to be present at the ‘Vayu Shakti’ demonstration.
Their presence reflects the strategic importance of the exercise and the emphasis placed on showcasing India’s defence readiness.
Officials indicated that the event will provide a comprehensive display of aerial manoeuvres, precision targeting, and coordinated force projection, demonstrating the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities across different combat scenarios.
Significance of LCH ‘Prachand’
The LCH ‘Prachand’ represents a key milestone in India’s defence indigenisation efforts under broader self-reliance initiatives in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Designed to operate effectively in extreme climatic and terrain conditions, including high-altitude zones, the platform addresses long-standing operational requirements of the armed forces.
The helicopter’s development has been positioned as part of India’s strategy to reduce dependence on imported defence systems while strengthening domestic production and technological expertise.
By undertaking a sortie in the platform, the President’s engagement signals institutional support for indigenous defence innovation.
Strategic Context
The visit comes at a time when India continues to modernise its armed forces amid evolving regional security dynamics. Large-scale exercises such as ‘Vayu Shakti’ serve not only as operational readiness assessments but also as confidence-building displays of capability.
The Pokhran Field Firing Range, situated in western Rajasthan, remains one of the country’s premier testing and demonstration grounds for advanced weapon systems and integrated force exercises.
While the event is a scheduled military demonstration, it also carries symbolic value in reinforcing defence preparedness and technological advancement.
What Happens Next
The President is expected to complete her scheduled engagements in Rajasthan over the two-day visit before returning to New Delhi.
Officials have not indicated any additional policy announcements linked to the visit. However, the engagements collectively highlight the continued focus on indigenous defence production, operational readiness, and high-level civilian leadership engagement with the armed forces.
