New Delhi: In a major effort to strengthen the capabilities of Indian defence forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) inked two deals with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Friday for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) to the
Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army over the next eight years. The deals are worth Rs 62,700 crore.
While 66 LCHs will go to the IAF, the remaining 90 will be inducted into the Army’s Aviation Corps. Delivery of these aircraft will commence from 2028 and continue till 2033. Upgrades will take place accordingly, as per requirements of the two armed forces. HAL will also supply training and other associated equipment along with the helicopters.
This is the biggest deal that the MoD has signed with HAL till date. The helicopters will be built at HALs Bengaluru and Tumkur units in Karnataka.
What sets the HAL LCH apart?
The HAL LCH, called the Prachand, is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at altitudes over 5,000 metres (16,400 feet), barely 13,000 feet short of the peak of Mt Everest.
This ceiling makes it ideal for use, both along the borders with China and Pakistan. Even the US-made Apache attack helicopters, some of which have been acquired by the IAF, are not capable of operating at those heights.
Fitted with superior avionics, the Prachand is capable of firing a variety of air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles.
The Prachand has several components designed and manufactured in India and during this process of delivery, the indigenous content will go up to over 65%, an official said. This will involve over 250 Indian suppliers, primarily MSMEs, and generate over 8,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
During the day, the MoD also signed a contract with Metrea Management for the wet lease of a KC135 flight refueling aircraft. This aircraft will be used to train IAF and Indian Navy pilots in air-to-air refueling. The KC135 is an advanced Boeing Stratotanker. The aircraft will arrive in six months.
