India's indigenous helicopter manufacturing ecosystem received a further boost, as aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is partnering with Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) to manufacture fuselage structures for the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
Under the agreements, BEML will manufacture 48 fuselage structures for the LCH, while Adani Defence will produce another 42.
The agreements were signed by Tushar Ranjan Behera, general manager, Helicopter Division, HAL, with Cmde (Retd.) R.G.K. Rao, executive director, Aerospace & Maritime, BEML, and Prasanna Karthik, vice president, ADSTL, in the presence of senior leadership from the three companies, HAL said in a social media post.
Highlighting the significance of the agreements, HAL CMD Ravi K. said the move would strengthen India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities and domestic supply chain.
“This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem. For the first time, the private industry is being integrated into the production of helicopter fuselage structures,” he said.
He added that the partnerships will “expand capacity, strengthen the domestic supply chain & contribute to enhancing indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.”
The Prachand is a multi-role light attack helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL under Project LCH.
The helicopter features a two-person tandem cockpit for a pilot and co-pilot/gunner and has been developed to carry out both anti-infantry and anti-armour missions.
The LCH is designed for a wide variety of operational roles. These include air defence against slow-moving aerial threats, including manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as counter-insurgency and Counter Surface Force Operations.
It can also be deployed for the destruction of enemy air defences and offensive operations in urban warfare environments.
