TSAMTO, August 8. According to Indian media, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has prematurely completed production for the Indian Armed Forces of the first 15 light combat helicopters LCH, designated "Prachand".
As reported by IDRW.org The helicopters assembled at the HAL facilities are a pre-production version of the machine, which will enter service with the Air Force and army aviation and will be used for conducting military tests.
According to TSAMTO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited started developing the LCH in 2006 on the basis of the Dhruv light helicopter. The LCH prototype made its first flight on March 29, 2010. In November 2016, the Indian Defense Ministry approved limited serial production of the first 15 LCH helicopters, including 10 for the Air Force and 5 for the SV. In August 2017, a ceremony dedicated to the start of LCH production was held at HAL. HAL started limited serial production of helicopters on its own initiative and at its own expense.
The Security Committee of the Government of India (CCS) approved the acquisition of 15 LCH light combat helicopters of the limited production series in March 2022. The cost of purchasing helicopters and related equipment amounted to 38.87 billion. rupees ($513.8 million).
For the operation of helicopters in June 2022, the Air Force formed a new unit, which received the name "Helicopter Unit No. 143". The first LCH helicopter was handed over to the unit on July 18, 2022, and on October 3, 2022, the official ceremony of adopting the helicopter took place at Jodhpur Air Base.
As expected, a total of 95 LCH helicopters will be ordered by the SV, and 65 units by the Air Force. The company has already received permission to export LCH and offered it 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 strikes on ground targets, counterinsurgency, tanks and enemy air defenses, air support, escort of transport helicopters, destruction of fortified structures, destruction of UAVs and slow-flying air targets, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations in combat conditions. As stated, in value terms, about 45% of Indian content is in the design of the machine. In the mass production version, this share will exceed 55%.
The machine with a maximum take-off weight of 5.8 tons is equipped with two Ardiden 1H1 Shakti engines, can carry up to 500 kg of payload. The maximum speed is 268 km/h, the flight range is 550 km, the practical ceiling is 6.5 km. LCH is equipped with an armored cockpit, helmet-mounted targeting system, armed with a 20 mm cannon, four 70 mm anti-tank guided missiles. The machine can be used at any time of the day and in difficult weather conditions.
According to the developers, the helicopter can take off and land at altitudes up to 5000 m with a significant load of weapons and fuel. The helicopter demonstrated its capabilities by successfully landing and taking off near the Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 4700 m above sea level with a payload of 500 kg.
