HAL Receives Rs 45,000 Crore RFP from MoD for 156 Indigenous Light Combat Helicopters

Tags: Defence National News

On 17th June 2024, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, received a Request For Proposal (RFP) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) Prachand, estimated to cost Rs 45,000 crore.

An Overview of the News

• The MoD issued this RFP under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

• Of the 156 LCHs, 90 are allocated for the Indian Army (IA) and 66 for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

About Light Combat Helicopter (LCH):

• The LCH Prachand is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter, designed and manufactured by HAL in collaboration with French engine-maker Safran.

• Key aviation technologies such as the glass cockpit and composite airframe structure have been indigenised.

• It is the world's only attack helicopter capable of landing and taking off at an altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 ft), suitable for operations in high-altitude areas like the Siachen glacier and Eastern Ladakh.

• The LCH is a 5-8 tonne class dedicated combat helicopter, powered by twin Shakti engines.

• It features a countermeasure dispensing system that protects it from enemy radar detection.

Important Points:

• In April 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• The estimated worth of the tender is over Rs 65,000 crore.

About HAL:

• HAL is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

• Chairman and Managing Director (CMD): C.B. Ananthakrishnan (Additional Charge)

• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka

• Established: 1940