The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the procurement of 15 Indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs). These helicopters will be procured from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Rs. 3387 crores. Of these, 10 helicopters will be for the Indian Air Force and five for the Indian Army.
Last year, on the occasion of Rani Lakshmibai's birthday on November 19, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself handed over a model of a Light Combat Helicopter to the Air Force. As part of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, the Ministry of Defence celebrated the National Defence Dedication Festival in Jhansi from November 17-19. Under this many progressive programs of the Armed Forces of the country were conducted in Jhansi.
India had made up its mind to build LCH (Light Combat Helicopters) only after the Kargil war because at that time India did not have an attack helicopter that could destroy enemy bunkers at an altitude of 15,000-16,000 feet. But that project was approved in 2006.
Although India has recently purchased state-of-the-art Apache attack helicopters from the United States. The Apache cannot take off and land on the peaks of Kargil and Siachen. However, LCHs can carry out missions even on such high peaks due to their lightweight and special rotors.
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) weighs about 6 tons, which makes it very light. Due to its low weight, it can take off and land in high altitude areas with its missiles and other weapons.
In addition, the front of the LCH is fitted with a 20mm rifle, which can rotate 110 degrees in any direction.
All features of the cockpit are reflected on the pilot's helmet.
Will not easily come into the enemy's radar.
According to the officials of HAL, the LCH has stealth features that will not easily catch enemy radar. If an enemy helicopter or fighter locks its missile on LCH, it can also dodge it. The body of this is armoured, so the shooting will have no significant effect on the helicopter. The rotors will also not be affected by the bullets.
These indigenous LCH helicopters have been tested from the Siachen Glacier to the Rajasthan desert before they are fully ready for the Indian Air Force. During this time large quantities of fuel and its weapons were also supplied to the LCH. LCH was acquired by Hindustan Aeronautics, India's largest and most trusted public sector entity.
