NEW DELHI – Two high-ranking officials who are aware with the project said on Friday that the newest batch of Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) will be delivered with better weapons and armor, which is a big step toward improving India’s own defense capabilities. The modifications are part of a huge ₹62,700-crore deal that the Defence Ministry and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed on March 28.
The deal includes the delivery of 156 Prachand helicopters, 90 for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force. This is a big boost for the government’s “atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) program. Deliveries are set to start in 2027-28 and finish throughout the next five years. HAL has already delivered 15 limited series production (LSP) Prachands, which are now in use.
The new helicopters will include a lot of new technology and improvements to the ones they already have. There are seven new systems, including –
Missiles that go from the air to the ground that are created in the area.
Rockets that are directed using lasers.
Current systems for electronic warfare.
Ability to find nuclear material.
A datalink that lets you talk to other systems safely.
A system for avoiding obstacles.
Directed infrared countermeasures.
The LCH’s current systems will also get four major updates. These include the electro-optical pod for better targeting and surveillance, and the helmet-mounted pointing system to help pilots do their jobs better. Officials said that work is well on to have these features up and running in the next 18 months. Most of the new systems will be made in the country. The LCH now has 45% of its value in indigenous content. This number is predicted to rise to more than 65% for the final batch.
The Prachand helicopter can fly at altitudes over 5,000 meters and can do a lot of different things. It can destroy enemy air defenses and high-altitude bunkers, support ground forces, and fight against insurgents.
The new helicopters will be made in HAL’s Tumakuru, Karnataka, plant, which was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2023. It is India’s largest helicopter production plant. More than 250 area businesses are scheduled to be involved in the LCH initiative, which will create more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.
This purchase is part of a larger effort by the Indian government to make military manufacture more self-reliant. This includes releasing “positive indigenization lists” to stop the import of a wide variety of military systems and equipment. There are also distinct budgets for locally created gear and more foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defense sector.