On 27 February 2026, President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, witnessed the Indian Air Force’s major firepower demonstration Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026 at the Pokharan Field Firing Range near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The event showcased the operational strength and combat readiness of the Indian Air Force (IAF), and highlighted India’s self-reliant defence capabilities.
The President arrived in Jaisalmer on the evening of 26 February as part of a four-day official visit covering Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. She was welcomed by senior state officials, including the Governor and Chief Minister of Rajasthan, before staying overnight in Jaisalmer ahead of the exercise.
A major highlight of her visit was her historic sortie in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’. Clad in an olive-green flight suit and helmet, President Murmu flew as co-pilot in the attack helicopter on Friday morning. The 25-minute flight took off from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station near the India-Pakistan border and flew over the Pokharan range, underlining both her role as the nation’s supreme commander and India’s advancing aerospace technology.
The LCH Prachand — designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — is India’s first indigenously built combat helicopter. It is capable of operating in diverse terrains, from deserts to high-altitude regions, and is equipped with advanced avionics, weapon systems, and night-attack capabilities. The President’s participation in the LCH sortie marked the first time an Indian President has flown as co-pilot in a combat helicopter, adding to earlier historic flights in fighter aircraft.
During the flight, President Murmu conveyed a message of pride and gratitude, describing the Prachand as a powerful symbol of India’s defence self-reliance and expressing her deep respect for the nation’s armed forces personnel.
Later in the day, President Murmu attended the Vayu Shakti-2026 exercise at the Pokharan range as the chief guest. The live demonstration featured a broad spectrum of Indian Air Force platforms, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters executing coordinated operations from day through night. The exercise is one of the IAF’s largest firepower showcases, demonstrating combat readiness, precision strikes, aerial defence systems, and joint operational capabilities across multiple domains.
Senior leaders from the Indian defence establishment, including the Defence Minister and top military officials, were also present at the event. Tight security arrangements were implemented across the region, including declaring a temporary no-fly zone from Chandan to Pokharan to support the smooth conduct of the exercise.
President Murmu’s participation in Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026 underscored her role in boosting the morale of India’s defence forces and promoting indigenous defence technology. The event provided a powerful platform to demonstrate India’s growing air power and strategic readiness .