The Indian Air Force (IAF) will acquire 156 'Prachand' Light Combat Helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), as confirmed by senior defense officials to ANI. These helicopters, entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India, will be stationed along the challenging borders with China and Pakistan, serving both the IAF and the Indian Army.

This significant move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'AtmaNirbhar' initiative, aimed at enhancing self-reliance in the defense sector. Additionally, this acquisition may pave the way for the Indian Armed Forces to operate a fleet of 300 LCHs in the future.

"The Indian Air Force, as the lead service, has submitted a proposal to the Government for purchasing 156 more Prachand choppers as a joint acquisition case, which is likely to be approved soon," disclosed senior defense officials to ANI. Also, on June 15 earlier this year, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Ashutosh Dixit stated, “The delivery of 10 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production aircraft for the IAF is nearing completion, and the production of the Series Production aircraft is likely to commence shortly to fulfill the order of 145 Series Production LCH for the IAF and Indian Army.”

A recent ANI report highlights the extensive trials conducted in the past year under the world's most challenging weather conditions and terrains, culminating in the induction of these helicopters into active service. In March 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave its approval for the acquisition of 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) variants of the LCH, with an estimated cost of ₹3,887 crore. Among these helicopters, 10 were designated for the Indian Air Force (IAF), while the remaining five were assigned to the Indian Army.

The IAF has strategically deployed its LSP variant combat helicopters near the Indo-Pak border in Jodhpur. Simultaneously, the Indian Army has stationed its initial squadron of LCH a mere 250 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Missamari, Assam.

Out of the 156 helicopters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to induct 66, while the Indian Army will acquire the remaining 90. This aligns with the government's vision of strengthening indigenous defense capabilities. Notably, the Prachand helicopter stands out due to its remarkable ability to operate at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters (over 19,000 feet), making it exceptionally suited for high-altitude regions like the Siachen glacier and Eastern Ladakh. Furthermore, it comes equipped with a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, providing effective capabilities for neutralizing enemy air defense operations.

As previously reported, the Prachand will also be armed with advanced 'Dhruvastra' air-to-ground missiles designed to target hardened enemy shelters in high-altitude and various terrains. This not only meets domestic military requirements but also positions the Indian Air Force (IAF) for potential exports to friendly foreign nations. The acquisition of these combat helicopters is expected to have a significant impact on the global defense landscape, with experts anticipating a rising demand for India's Prachand helicopters in international markets.

The HAL-designed twin-engine LCH is a specialized combat aircraft weighing between 5 to 8 tonnes, optimized for high-altitude missions. It incorporates features such as stealth, armour, and night attack capabilities. Equipped with a 20mm gun, rockets, and air-to-air/air-to-ground missiles, the LCH boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 5,800 kg, a top speed of 268 km/h, a range of 550 km, and a service ceiling of 6.5 km. It is powered by two HAL/Turbomeca Shakti-1H1 engines, each with 1,032 kW power and infrared suppressors.

The LCH excels in various attack profiles, including high-altitude warfare, and excels in operations like anti-infantry, anti-armor, urban warfare, and combat search and rescue. It inherits advanced rotor technology from the HAL Dhruv, featuring a narrow fuselage and stealth design. Ongoing DRDO development efforts are addressing the need for a fully integrated electronic warfare suite, further enhancing its capabilities.

In October last year, during the Navratri festival, the Indian Air Force officially welcomed the LCH into its ranks, bestowing upon it the name "Prachand," a decision made by India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh. During the induction ceremony, Singh expressed that the inclusion of this homegrown LCH would significantly enhance our defense capabilities and provide a substantial boost to domestic defense production.

He further emphasized that the timing of the LCH's induction during Navratri and in the historic land of warriors, Rajasthan, was particularly fitting. Additionally, Singh underscored that the LCH's induction exemplifies the nation's trust in the Indian Air Force and its equal trust in indigenous equipment. This 'combat copter' was formally integrated into the 143 Helicopter unit of the Indian Air Force.

Image source: India News