IAF inducts India-made Light Combat Helicopters 'Prachand'; 6 Facts-

New Delhi, Oct 3: In a big boost to its combat prowess, the first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH) was inducted into the Air Force in Jodhpur in Rajasthan in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Monday.

 

 

Indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters, named Prachand capable of firing a range of missiles and other weapons. “It is an important milestone for the Air Force,” said the defence minister at the event. “Since independence, the IAF was dependent on foreign attack helicopters. The dire need to reduce this dependence was felt during the 1999 Kargil War. This is set to change now,” he underlined.

 

1. The light combat helicopters have been developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, expanding the government's ‘Make in India’ initiative and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

 

 

2. Among the top features are all-weather combat capability, high altitude performance, agility, maneuverability, and extended range. For better survivability, the choppers have night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear.

 

3. This development took place after the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the purchase of 15 of these LCHs for the air force and the army. Of the 15 limited series production helicopters approved, 10 are for the IAF and five for the army.

 

 

4. The CCS has approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 Cr.

 

5. It can land and take off from an altitude of 5,000 metres with weapons and fuel.

 

6. Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approx. 45 pc indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55 pc for SP Version.