Why in the News
President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026.
About LCH Prachand
- India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter.
- Designed for high altitude warfare and desert operations.
- Equipped with:
- Air to ground missiles
- Rocket systems
- 20 mm turret gun
- Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Significance
- Highlights indigenous defence capability.
- Demonstrates operational readiness of the Indian Air Force.
- Symbolic boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
Prelims Pointers
- LCH Prachand inducted into Indian Air Force in 2022.
- Designed for operations at high altitude including Himalayan region.
- Air Force Station Jaisalmer is a key western sector air base.
- President is Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces under Article 53.
| [2025] With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs: Aircraft type : Description
I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globemaster : Military transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three (d) None |
