IAF inducts Prachand: All about the indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter

The Indian Air Force on Monday formally inducted the first batch of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand' to boost its combat prowess. The induction was at a ceremony in Jodhpur in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari.

Made in India

• The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
• The LCH has similarities with the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, designed and developed by HAL, reports said.

Features

• The 5.8-tonne twin-engine helicopter has been primarily designed for deployment in high-altitude regions.
• The LCH is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems and other weapons.
• The LCH has stealth features, armoured-protection systems, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear for better survivability.
• Reduced visual, aural, radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability add to its stealth capability.
• It has extended range, high altitude performance and all-weather combat capability.
• Aviation technologies like a glass cockpit and composite airframe structure have been indigenised.

Uses

• It's capable of performing a range of roles including combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defence (DEAD) and counter-insurgency (CI) operations.
• The LCH can also be deployed in high-altitude bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations both in jungles and populated areas, and for supporting ground forces.
• The multi-role platform is capable of firing a range of missiles and other weapons.
• The LCH can also be used against slow-moving aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) of adversaries.

The helicopter has been tested under stringent operating conditions including at sea level, in desert regions and in Siachen. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCH at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore. 10 helicopters would be for the IAF and five for the Indian Army. The IAF is working with DRDO and HAL to integrate new weapons on the helicopter.