IAF inducts indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter

Published: 6th Oct, 2022

Context

The Indian Air Force has formally inducted the first batch of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter “Prachand'.

About

Details:

Prachand has been formally inducted into the 143 Helicopter Units – an IAF fleet in Jodhpur Base, Rajasthan.
The name Prachand means “fierce”.
The attack helicopter also known as tank buster will get its anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) only by mid-2023.
The ATGM intended to be integrated with Prachand is the indigenous Helina, whose air force version is called
As of now, the helicopter comes integrated with the European air-to-air missile Mistral 2 launchers, manufactured by the MBDA.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCH for Rs.3, 887 crore.
10 helicopters would be for the IAF and 5 for the Indian Army.

Features:

8-tonne twin-engine helicopter is designed for deployment in high-altitude regions.
Armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems, and other weapons.
Stealth features, armoured-protection systems, night attack capability, and crash-worthy landing gear for better survivability.
Reduced visual, aural, radar, and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability add to its stealth capability.
Extended range, high altitude performance, and all-weather combat capability.
Aviation technologies like a glass cockpit and composite airframe structures have been indigenized.

Other indigenous defense products:

Made in India:

The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is designed and developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
The LCH has similarities with the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, designed and developed by HAL.

Testing:

The helicopter has been tested under stringent operating conditions including at sea level, in desert regions, and in Siachen.

Significance:

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