Indian Army receives first indigenous Light Combat Helicopter
The induction of Light Combat Helicopter is aimed at strengthening the troops’ combat capabilities. In a tweet, the Indian Army said, "Highly manoeuvrable & agile, #LCH will significantly enhance the combat capability."
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New Delhi, Oct 1: In a significant development, the Indian Army formally inducted the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) on Thursday. The first LCH was formally received by Director General Army Aviation Lt Gen A. K. Suri from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.
The induction of LCH is aimed at strengthening the troops’ combat capabilities. In a tweet, the Indian Army said, "Highly manoeuvrable & agile, #LCH will significantly enhance the combat capability."
The latest induction follows a clearance granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to procure 15 LCH limited series production variants, along with infrastructure. Reports suggest that the Army Aviation will receive the second LCH in October.
Ahead of the induction, the Army raised its first LCH unit on 1 June 2022. The unit will reportedly shift to the Eastern Command along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) next year. In total, the Army intends to procure 95 LCHs, of which seven units, each comprising ten copters, will be deployed in mountainous terrains.
The 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter features armour protection, night attack capability, and crash-worthy landing gear, thereby offering better survivability.
The Ministry of Defence said, “The helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance, and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability.” The helicopters are expected to bolster the capabilities of the Army in performing various roles including combat search and rescue, counter insurgency operations against slow moving aircraft, and remotely piloted aircraft.
In March 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the procurement of 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) variants of the LCH at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore along with infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 377 crore. Of the 15 helicopters, 10 are for the IAF and five for the Army. The LCH is designed and developed by HAL.
Bharati Web
Mes, Pune
