Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced on Monday that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from the company. It marks a significant step in the ‘Make in India’ initiative, aimed at enhancing domestic manufacturing and demonstrating the country’s increasing self-reliance in defence. According to HAL, 90 of these helicopters will be allocated to the Indian Army (IA), while the remaining 66 are designated for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
“We would like to inform you that the Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH),” the company announced in an official statement. The statement also detailed that 90 of the 156 LCHs requested are for the Indian Army (IA) and the remaining 66 are for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
After taking over the Ministry’s rein for the second term, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the government’s commitment to further fortifying the country’s security apparatus and achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He underlined, “Our focus remains on the modernisation of the Armed Forces and the welfare of our serving and retired soldiers,” instilling confidence in the future of the defence sector.
LCH Prachand
The LCH, also known as Prachand, is a versatile helicopter. It shares similarities with the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, but it’s the stealth features, armoured protection systems, night attack capability, and crash-worthy landing gear that make it adaptable to various operations. The LCH’s agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance, and all-weather combat capability enable it to excel in a range of roles, including combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defence (DEAD), and counter-insurgency (CI) operations.
The versatile helicopter is capable of executing high-altitude bunker-busting missions, conducting counter-insurgency operations in jungle and urban settings, and providing crucial support to ground forces. Furthermore, it is designed to engage slow-moving adversaries and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs). Cutting-edge aviation technologies, including a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and a composite airframe structure, have been domestically developed, ensuring superior performance and reliability.
Team BharatShakti
