IAF to get the first batch of LCH delivered by HAL

New Delhi, July 12: Adding more power to the Indian Air Force ( IAF ), Defence PSU - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) - will be delivering the first batch of three Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). These are part of the 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters approved for the Army and the IAF.

 

 

The LCH has been designed and developed by the HAL and touted as the world’s lightest attack helicopter. LCH weighs 5.5 tonnes. HAL developed it to meet the specific and unique requirements of the Indian armed forces to operate at heights of 12,000 feet. The IAF has put forward a requirement for 65 LCH and the Army for 114 helicopters. Of the 15 LSP helicopters, 10 are for the IAF and five for the Army.

 

 

The Army Aviation operates smaller utility helicopters but does not have attack helicopters in its fleet and has for sometime pitched for attack helicopters of its own to operate with its strike Corps. The attack helicopter fleet is operated by the Air Force which provides close air support to the Army.

 

 

Presently, the Army has 90 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and 75 Rudra, weaponised ALH, helicopters in service which are indigenously designed and developed by the HAL in addition to around 160 older Cheetah and Chetak utility helicopters which are in need of urgent replacement.

 

 

Last August, amid the ongoing standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, two LCH were deployed for operations at high altitude in Leh at short notice to support IAF missions, validating their capability.