India has announced a USD 7.3 billion agreement to acquire 156 domestically manufactured Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) for its air force and army, as part of its continuous efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in defence.
The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that two contracts have been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with the first contract for the supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and second contract for the supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army.
The delivery of these helicopters is set to begin in three years and will be distributed over the subsequent five years. These contracts are expected to significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces in high-altitude environments.
The LCH is India’s first combat helicopter that has been entirely designed and developed domestically, with the ability to operate at altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters. A substantial portion of its components is designed and manufactured within India, with a target of achieving an indigenous content exceeding 65% throughout the procurement process.
This initiative will engage over 250 domestic companies, primarily micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and is projected to create more than 8,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to reduce India’s dependence on foreign countries for its defence needs the country still remains one of the biggest military importers in the world.
New Delhi has sought to reduce its reliance on Russia, its long-standing ally and main supplier of essential military equipment for many years. In recent times, it has acquired significant military hardware valued at billions of dollars from nations such as Israel, France, and the United States.
The Prachand is a multi-role light attack helicopter developed and produced by HAL as part of the Project Light Combat Helicopter. It has been procured by both the IAF and the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps (AAC) and was officially inducted into the IAF on 3 October 2022.
The impetus for creating the Prachand stemmed from the Kargil War in 1999, a conflict between India and Pakistan that highlighted the Indian Armed Forces’ need for a capable armed helicopter that could operate effectively in high-altitude environments. In response, HAL and the Indian Armed Forces initiated efforts to conceptualize a combat helicopter suited for this purpose.
In 2006, HAL announced the launch of a development program for this rotorcraft, known as the LCH or Light Combat Helicopter. Initially, the LCH was expected to achieve its initial operating capability (IOC) by December 2010; however, its development faced delays, some of which were due to issues with suppliers.
The Prachand benefited significantly from the design of an earlier indigenous helicopter, the HAL Dhruv, which helped to lower the overall costs of the programme. The first prototype of the LCH made its inaugural flight on 29 March 2010. A comprehensive testing programme was carried out with four prototypes.
Notably, the LCH became the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen, successfully landing at various high-altitude helipads, some reaching elevations of 13,600 to 15,800 feet (4,100 to 4,800 meters). By mid-2016, the LCH had completed its performance trials, setting the stage for the certification of its basic configuration.
