India Invests Massive $14 Billion In Indigenous Aircraft

 

India Invests Massive $14 Billion In Indigenous Aircraft; After LCA Tejas, Now Big LCH Prachand Deal On Cards

Though the export of India’s indigenously developed aircraft is yet to take off, the ‘Make in India,’ or the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ policy of the government has received a major boost with a big order for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand.’

In a bid to bolster the military’s combat capability, particularly when operating at high altitudes, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has reportedly sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the purchase of 156 LCH Prachand.

According to unknown officials who spoke to the Indian media, the projected cost of the new helicopters—90 for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force (IAF)—is ₹50,000 crores ($6B). The purchase is anticipated to strengthen India’s bid to achieve self-reliance in defense and expand indigenous production of weapon systems.

Until now, the HAL has produced just 15 units of LCH Prachand, including ten for the IAF and five for the Army in a limited series production capacity. However, with the new order, the helicopter will enter serial production. Officials said HAL plans to execute the order within five to six years after signing the contract for 156 helicopters.

Prachand light attack helicopters are already deployed at Siachen Base Camp and along the eastern border with China. The latest order is aimed at supporting the Indian Army's efforts to build deterrence against two adversaries on the northern and western borders, China and Pakistan.

LCH Prachand is India's first indigenously built multi-role attack helicopter with robust ground attack and air combat capabilities. It is adapted to meet the Indian Army's requirement for operations in desert and mountainous terrains. The LCH is the only helicopter capable of flying at an altitude of 5,000 meters with a large load of weapons and fuel.

This helicopter was developed by India after the Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 proved ineffective in the 1999 Kargil conflict against Pakistan. The production and launch of the LCH Prachand is notable considering that the LCH project has faced several problems since its inception in the early 2000s.

The latest orders suggest that Indian warehouses will be replenished with this state-of-the-art helicopter boasting a top speed of 463 km/h, combat radius of 500 km and a service ceiling of 21,000 feet.

The LCH can perform a wide range of missions, including counter-insurgency operations in urban and jungle environments, destruction of high-altitude bunkers, destruction of enemy air defense systems and support to ground forces. It can also target and destroy slow flying aircraft via remote control.

More importantly, it will stand out as another product of India's "Make in India" or "Atmanirbhar Bharat" indigenization policy. The purchase comes just months after the IAF placed a bulk order for LCA Tejas Mk1A aircraft.

The Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL in April 2024 for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk-1A). The aircraft will strengthen the IAF's fighting force amid a shortage of fighter squadrons. The aircraft is expected to be purchased at a cost of approximately Rs 67,000 crore (US$ 8 billion). The IAF already operates two squadrons of Tejas Mk1 jets, each consisting of 20 initial and final operationally cleared variants. In 2021, 83 versions of the LCA Mk1A were ordered. The first batch of LCA Mk1A jets was scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in early 2024, but that date has been missed.