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In a big boost to make-in-India the defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, 3rd of October 2022 presided over the formal induction of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) – the Prachanda- designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the IAF’s Jodhpur Air Base.

Just before taking himself a sortie onboard the LCH shortly after its induction ceremony Rajnath Singh praised role of IAF in meeting internal as well as external threats to the country since independence.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, Air Marshal Vikram Singh Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL Mr C.B. Ananthakrishnan, senior officials of Ministry of Defence, IAF and local dignitaries were present on the occasion. 

The defence minister said that adequate attention was not paid to the development of indigenous attack helicopters for a long time after independence.

However, since the Kargil War in 1999, the need for LCH was felt more and today’s LCH was a result of two decades of R&D and indigenous efforts in that direction. Rajnath added that LCH was flying not only on the strength of its rotors, engines and blades, but also on the strength of penance, patience, dedication and patriotism of many scientists, engineers and others.

Rajnath specifically mentioned the conflict in Ukraine stating that experience there had showed proved that heavy weapon systems and platforms, which do not allow for rapid movement in the battlefield, are sometimes vulnerable and become easy targets for the enemy. Therefore, he added, the need of the hour is to move towards the development of those equipment and platforms, which are mobile, have ease of movement, are more flexible, and at the same time meet the requirements of the armed forces.

In this context, LCH has been developed with an unprecedented balance of all these features and HAL should be congratulated for this, Raksha Mantri said.

Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, Chief of Air Staff said on the occasion that induction of LCH adds unique capability to the IAF’s combat potential. Versatility and offensive potential of the LCH is at par or better than most attack helicopters operating globally. Selection of the personnel in the 143-helicopter unit which will man the LCH have been made based on professional competence so as to ensure operationalisation of the unit at the earliest, he added.

The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL.

It has potent ground attack and aerial combat capability. Inducted in IAF’s newly raised No. 143 Helicopter Unit.

The 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter.

The LCH has the distinction of being the first attach helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen, 4,700 meters above sea level with 500 kg load.

In March, the Cabinet Committee on Security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (10 for IAF and 5 for Indian Army) at the cost of Rs 3,887 crore along with infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 377 Crore.

Prachand is equipped with requisite agility, maneuverability, extended range, high altitude performance and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue, Destruction of Enemy Air Defence, counter insurgency, against slow moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, high altitude bunker busting operations and support to ground forces.

State of the art technologies and systems compatible with stealth features such as reduced visual, aural, radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability have been integrated in LCH for deployment in combat roles catering to emerging needs for next three to four decades, the Defence Ministry said.