New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ near India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Friday. The LCH took off from the Jaisalmer Indian Air Force (IAF) station. Before the sortie, the captain briefed the President.
Dressed in an olive green uniform and helmet, she waved from the cockpit before departing. Murmu flew the indigenous Prachand as a co-pilot helicopter for the first time. She has previously taken sorties in the Sukhoi-30 and Rafale.
She arrived in Rajasthan on Thursday evening and was welcomed by Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. The President will participate in the Exercise Vayu Shakti today evening at the Pokharan range where she will witness the Indian Air Force’s firepower demonstration.
VIDEO | Jaislamer, Rajasthan: President Droupadi Murmu takes off onboard the indigenous light combat helicopter Prachand for a sortie.
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/v4QWvnpQp1
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About the LCH ‘Prachand’
The Prachand light combat helicopter is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter. It is designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The special feature of this in the indigenously developed helicopter is that it is in service with both the Air Force and the Army. It is an indigenous attack helicopter. The multi-role combat helicopter is specifically designed for high-altitude warfare.
The light combat helicopter has potent ground attack and aerial combat capability. The helicopter possesses modern stealth characteristics, robust armour protection and formidable night attack capability, according to Defence Ministry.
The LCH is especially suited for the modern battlefield as it has an onboard advanced navigation system, guns tailored for close combat and potent air-to-air missiles. It is capable of operating from high-altitude terrain and carrying out precision strikes at high-altitude targets.