Defence Minister inducted first indigenously developed light combat helicopters into Indian Air Force in Rajasthan

Tags: Defence Science and Technology

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted the first indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH) named Prachand was inducted  into Indian Air Force (IAF) at Jodhpur in Rajasthan on October 3.

Important facts

• The LCH was inducted at an event in Jodhpur in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary.

• The LCH is designed to promote the combat prowess of the Indian Air Force.

• In March 2022, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had approved the purchase of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCHs at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore.

About Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

• It is a dedicated combat helicopter designed and developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

• The Advanced Light Helicopter in LCH is similar to Dhruv.

• It has several stealth features, armoured-protection system, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear.

• The helicopter can be deployed for high-altitude bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in jungles and urban environments, as well as assisting military forces on the ground.

• It has indigenized several key aviation technologies like glass cockpit and composite airframe structure.

• It is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 meters or 16,400 feet with weapons that meet the specific requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.