India is close to finding the first buyer for its attack helicopters. Yesterday, July 7, the portal idrw.org he reported that the Nigerian army is considering the possibility of purchasing LCH from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
Helicopters are needed for the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps, created to fight terrorists. Initially, the aviation corps considered the possibility of purchasing Russian Mi-35M, which are already in service with the Nigerian Air Force, but due to American sanctions, the choice fell on Indian helicopters.
LCH Helicopter
Image source: indiatimes.com
According to unofficial information, HAL is already training six Nigerian officers, and in the near future the Nigerian army will expand the training program for its military personnel in India. At the same time, HAL does not comment on a potential deal, limiting itself to the wording that "the company is negotiating with some African countries."
The first flight of the LCH prototype took place in 2010, and in 2016 HAL announced the start of serial assembly of new helicopters. The Indian attack helicopter is made according to the classical scheme with tandem crew placement. The helicopter's cabin is able to withstand hits of 12.7 mm armor-piercing bullets, and the landing gear is non-removable and energy-absorbing to increase the safety of the crew during an emergency landing. The machine is equipped with two TM333–2C2 turboshaft engines with a digital control system of the FADEC type, jointly developed by HAL and Turbomeca.
The helicopter's armament consists of an observation and sighting system located in the nose, and a controlled 20-mm rotary cannon. Guided and unguided missiles can be mounted on four suspension points placed on the wings. The LCH can reach speeds of up to 268 km / h, can climb to a height of up to 6500 m and cover a distance of up to 550 km. The Indian Defense Ministry plans to purchase 176 LCH helicopters, 64 of which are intended for the Indian Air Force, and another 114 for the army.
