Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)Prachand

10 Oct 2022 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)Prachand

Source: The Hindu; The Indian Express

News: Induction of indigenously built multi-role Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Prachand paved way for self reliance or Atmanirbharta in defence manufacturing.

History of development of LCH Prachand:

• During Kargil war 1999, armed forces felt the need for a dedicated platform for operating at high altitudes and delivering precision strikes.
• In October 2006, the government sanctioned the design and development of an India-made attack helicopter that is LCH and finally the Indian Army joined the programme in December 2013.
• Four LCH prototypes were built by HAL (technology demonstrators or TDs) along with rigorous flight testing  with over 1,600 total flights logging 1,239 flight hours.
• These  helicopter prototypes went through rigorous testing  under difficult conditions for around a decade in extreme events or situations in Chennai(sea trials),Leh(extreme cold weather),Jodhpur (desert)and Siachen(high altitudes).

• On August 26, 2017, LCH received initial operation clearance after extensive flight testing in diverse terrains and weather conditions.
• In February 2020, LCH  was declared ready for production.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new LCH production hangar at Helicopter Division of HAL with production capacity of 30 choppers.
• In 2021, LCH was handed over to the Indian Air Force by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 
• In 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Security of the government  headed by PM Modi approved the procurement of 15(10 for the IAF and 5 for the Indian Army) limited series production (LSP) variants.
• Currently indigenious content in LSP LCH is 45%, but HAL aims to progressively increase to more than 55%.
• On September 29, 2022 formal induction of first Light Combat Helicopter by the Indian Army.

Features of LCH:

• LCH is  developed by collaborative effort of the HAL and France’s Safran company.
• It is powered by twin French-origin Shakti engines. 
• Weight: LCH is a 5.8-tonne class combat helicopter 
• LCH has aerial combat capability along with potent ground attack.
• Defence Ministry’s description of LCH “The helicopter possesses modern stealth characteristics, robust armour protection and formidable night attack capability. Onboard advanced navigation system, guns tailored for close combat and potent air to air missiles make the LCH especially suited for the modern battlefield,”. 
• Maximum flying speed of the LCH helicopter is 288 kmph and combat radius is 500 km.
• These helicopters are ideal to operate in Siachen as the service ceiling of LCH can go up to 21,000 feet.
• Although LCH inherits many features of the Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH) such as Dhruva and Rudra, but it is more sleeker thann previous ALH due to nature of the  tandem cockpit configuration.

Image Credit: HAL

Importance of LCH Prachand:

• According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) advanced technology of Prachand can be used to destroy the enemy’s air defence.
• According to the Ministry of Defence Light weight of Prachand ensures that it can be deployed for combat Search and Rescue, bunker busting operations, counter insurgency operations in the jungle and urban areas and support the ground forces.
• Combat prowess of the armed forces will get a “big boost” after induction of the LCH into the Air Force.
• LCH Prachand will provide a platform for the IAF and the Army to meet their operational requirements.
• LCH helicopters can perform multidimensional roles such as air defence and anti-tank roles in high-altitude, counter-insurgency and search and rescue operations.
• Unique capabilities of LCH ensures around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability due to agility, manoeuvrability, extended range and high altitude performance.
• Check Chinese threat along the Line of Actual Control as these helicopters along with Apache choppers will be deployed along the LAC.
• Army aviation will gain dedicated attack helicopters in its fleet that would augment its combat power. Current planning of the Army  is to acquire 95 LCH out of which seven units(one unit composed of 10 helicopters) are to be deployed for a combat role in the mountains.
• Customisation of this multi-role attack helicopter for operations in desert terrains and high-altitude sectors meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces.
• LCH can destroy air defence operations of the enemy through firing a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.
• Professional capability of LCH ensures quick operationalisation as it  is comparable to similar attack helicopters available around the world.
• New chapter in defence production: Indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter reflects India’s capability in defence production. HAL is trying to achieve paek rate capacity of 30 helicopters per year to meet the requirements of defence forces.
• Pave the way for the next phase of defence exports: HAL has already obtained a no objection certificate from  countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Angola, Egypt, Indonesia, Ecuador and Nigeria.

Conclusion: Earlier India used to rely on foreign-origin attack helicopters not just for its own combat operations but also for UN peacekeeping missions. Now, induction of indigenously built LCH helicopter shows the collective resolve of scientists, engineers and others who worked on it to make India strong and self-reliant in the defence sector.

Article:

1.Explained | The Indian-made LCH ‘Prachand’ and its significance.

2.Induction of indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter marks a new chapter: Air chief.

3.Light Combat Helicopter inducted into Indian Air Force: its features, weapons

4.Made-in-India attack helicopters inducted; special moment: PM Modi

Article Link:

1.https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-the-indian-made-lch-prachand-and-its-significance/article65966403.ece 

2.https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iaf-inducts-indigenously-built-light-combat-helicopter/article65965662.ece 

3.https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-light-combat-helicopter-being-inducted-into-the-air-force-today-8186589/ 

4.https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajnath-singh-light-combat-helicopters-indian-air-force-8186713/ 

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