President Murmu flies as co-pilot near India-Pakistan border aboard LCH 'Prachand'

President Droupadi Murmu on Feb 27 undertook a sortie as co‑pilot in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ near the India–Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The helicopter took off from Air Force Station Jaisalmer, with the President seen in an olive‑green flying suit and helmet as she waved from the cockpit before departure, according to reports. LCH ‘Prachand’, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, and the sortie marked a rare high-profile endorsement of India’s indigenous defence platforms.