LCH attack helicopters of the Indian aircraft manufacturer HAL will go to Africa. It will be reported that an agreement has been signed on the supply of these rotorcraft to the Nigerian Air Force, whose pilots are already undergoing initial training in the operation of new equipment.
The Nigerian Army is to aquire HAL light combat helicopters from India. They will be the primary combat helicopter of the Nigerian Army Aviation Corp. pic.twitter.com/DJSmOa7NQK
— Defense News Nigeria (@DefenseNigeria) July 6, 2021
It is noted that the contract (not officially confirmed yet) will be the first in the history of this program.
LCH-Light Combat Helicopter began to be created in 2006. Taking into account the local specifics, it was specially adapted for operations in high-altitude terrain-up to 6500 meters. The first flight was carried out four years later.
Experts attribute these helicopters to light rotorcraft - the empty weight is only 3000 kg, and the maximum take-off weight is 5500 kg. At the same time, the protection of the crew of two people from 12.7-mm armor-piercing bullets is provided.
Two 1200-horsepower TM333-2C2 engines, developed jointly with the French Turbomeca, are installed.
The maximum speed is 330 km / h, cruising speed is 260 km/h. The flight range is up to 700 km.
In the bow there is an observation and sighting system that allows you to conduct combat operations at any time of the day.
A 20-mm automatic cannon is used as a weapon, there are also four suspension points for guided and unguided missiles.
Currently, the Nigerian Air Force is armed with American, French, German and Russian-made helicopters, including the Mi-24, Mi-35 and Mi-171Sh. This technique is actively used in operations against illegal armed groups.
Alexey Moiseev
