Plans to build Light Combat Helicopters indigenously from 2017-2018 onwards

"The production plan for LCH has been made from 2017-18 onwards subject to firm order from IAF for limited series production," Inderjit Singh said.

By PTI | Updated: Mar 30, 2015, 02.51 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The production plan for indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopters have been made from 2017-18 onwards, the government said today, adding that they are not a replacement for the ageing fleets of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters.

Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the light combat helicopters are being developed by HAL to fulfill the requirement of the army and the air force for a combat helicopter.

"The production plan for LCH has been made from 2017-18 onwards subject to firm order from IAF for limited series production," Singh said.

He said the LCH is not a replacement for ageing fleets of Cheetah and Chetak utility helicopters as the combat helicopter is a 5.5 tonne class twin engine armed aircraft. On the other hand, the Cheetah and Chetak come in the sub-three tonne single engine utility helicopter category.

Singh said a LCH prototype has successfully cleared cold weather trials in high altitudes.

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LCH TD-3: Indigenous combat helicopter for IAF

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Economictimes.com

Giving a boost to India's defence, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Technology Demonstrator TD-3 recently made its successful maiden flight.

LCH is an indigenous attack helicopter development programme being undertaken by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).