The Ministry of Defence of India has signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), named Prachand, along with training and associated equipment, for an estimated value of $7.5 billion USD, excluding taxes. The first contract is for the supply of 66 LCH to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the second for 90 LCH to the Indian Army.

Delivery of these helicopters will begin from the third year and will extend over the following five years. The new helicopters will enhance the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces at high altitudes. The LCH is the first combat helicopter designed and developed indigenously in India, capable of operating at altitudes above 5,000 meters.

This helicopter features a large number of components designed and manufactured in India, and the program aims to reach a total indigenous content exceeding 65% during the course of this acquisition. This will involve more than 250 domestic companies, mainly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and will generate over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.

Light Combat Helicopter LCH Prachand

The Prachand Light Combat Helicopter is a modern weapon system designed, developed, and manufactured in India, which currently contains approximately 45% indigenous content, to be progressively increased to over 65% as series production advances.

This helicopter features high agility and maneuverability, extended range, excellent high-altitude performance, and all-weather combat capability. Its performance was tested in an extensive flight campaign from high-altitude bases operated by the Indian Armed Forces in the Himalayas.

The LCH is capable of performing Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD), Counter-Insurgency (COIN) operations, missions against slow-moving aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), high-altitude bunker busting, counterinsurgency operations in jungle and urban environments, and close air support to ground forces.

The LCH integrates advanced technologies and systems compatible with stealth characteristics, such as reduction of visual, aural, radar, and infrared signatures, and features a reinforced structure that provides significant crash resistance to enhance survivability, allowing it to be deployed in combat roles suited to the emerging operational needs of the next three to four decades.