TSAMTO, July 9. According to Indian media, the Nigerian Ground Forces are considering the possibility of purchasing LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) light combat helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to equip the newly formed army Aviation corps.
As reported by IDRW.org the Army Aviation Corps of the NE of Nigeria is a new separate aviation formation whose tasks include providing air support to ground units fighting against the Boko Haram group in the north and north-east of the country.
Initially, the corps showed interest in purchasing Mi-35M attack helicopters from Russia, which are already in service with the Nigerian Air Force. However, due to the threat of US sanctions in accordance with the "Law on Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions" (CAATSA), the SV command decided to evaluate other options, including the LCH, which was first proposed by the Nigerian Air Force during the Aero India 2019 exhibition (at that time, the Nigerian Armed Forces Command gave preference to the South African Ruivolk Mk.2 of Denel Aviation).
According to the IDRW.org currently, a group of six officers of the Nigerian Army Aviation is already undergoing training at the HAL Helicopter Academy. In the coming months, additional military personnel will be sent to India for training in accordance with the agreements between the NE of Nigeria and HAL. This fact suggests that the contract for the supply of helicopters could already be concluded.
As reported by TSAMTO, the LCH was developed by HAL on the basis of an improved light helicopter ALH, which entered service with the NE and the Indian Air Force in 2001. In November 2016, the Defense Procurement Council of India (DAC) approved the purchase of 15 LCH helicopters, including 10 units for the Air Force and 5 units for the SV. In February 2020, HAL opened an assembly line in Bangalore to assemble these helicopters. The total demand of the SV and the Indian Air Force is estimated at 179 LCH units. As expected, the SV will order 114 helicopters, and the Air Force – 65. LCH has already received an export permit and was offered to Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Angola, Egypt, Indonesia, Ecuador and Nigeria.
The LCH is a twin-engine light combat helicopter with a narrow fuselage and tandem crew placement (pilot and co-pilot/weapons operator). It is designed for striking ground targets, fighting enemy tanks and air defense systems, aviation support, escorting transport helicopters, destroying UAVs and slow-flying air targets, conducting reconnaissance, conducting search and rescue operations in combat conditions.
The machine is equipped with two "Shakti" engines, can carry up to 500 kg of payload. The flight range is 550 km, the practical ceiling is 6.5 km. The LCH is equipped with an armored cockpit, a helmet-mounted target designation system, armed with a 20-mm cannon, four 70-mm anti-tank guided missiles.
