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On October 3, the IAF will introduce indigenous light combat aircraft with numerous roles
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet Committee on Security in India approved the $3,887 billion acquisition of 15 of these helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in March for the air force and the army.
On October 3, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will formally introduce the homegrown light combat helicopter (LCH) at the Jodhpur air force station. The new platform can strike adversarial air defences.
According to the defence ministry, LCH has an indigenous component of 45% by value and will gradually rise to more than 55% for the series production version.
On October 3, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will formally introduce the indigenous light combat helicopter (LCH), which will be able to target enemy air defences, slow-moving aircraft, high-altitude bunkers, as well as conduct counterinsurgency operations.
Both IAF commander Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are anticipated at the event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet Committee on Security in India approved the $3,887 billion acquisition of 15 of these helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in March for the air force and the army.
Ten of the first 15 helicopters in a restricted production run that were authorised will go to the IAF and five to the army. According to the officials, it can land and take off from a height of 5,000 metres while carrying fuel and weaponry.
According to the defence ministry, LCH has an indigenous component of 45% by value and will gradually rise to more than 55% for the series production version. HAL anticipates continuation on orders as IAF and army have a combined projected requirement of 160 LCHs.
LCH is included on the government’s “positive indigenization list,” which aims to forbid the importation of various kinds of weapons, systems, and ammunition over the next five to seven years in order to increase defence self-reliance. By establishing three different lists, the government has prohibited the import of 310 defense-related commodities over the past two years.
The ministry previously stated that the LCH will lessen India’s reliance on imported combat helicopters and that the helicopter has export potential.
In Jhansi on November 19, 2021, as part of events honouring India’s 75th anniversary of independence, the Prime Minister presented the armed forces with locally made military equipment, including the LCH.
