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IAF inducts indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter

Developed by HAL; primarily for deployment in high-altitude regions

PTI10_03_2022_000055B Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and others during a ceremony to induct the first batch of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter | PTI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday inducted the first batch of indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter, named 'Prachand', at a ceremony in Jodhpur. While attending the induction ceremony, Defence minister Rajnath Singh said this move will boost defence production in India.

“There could not have been a better timing for LCH induction than Navratri and in the land of warriors, Rajasthan,” he added.

The LCH, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), has been primarily designed for deployment in high-altitude regions.

In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed limited series production (LSP) LCH at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore.

The defence ministry had said 10 helicopters would be for the IAF and five will be for the Indian Army. The LCH is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and all-weather combat capability to perform a range of roles including combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defence (DEAD) and counter-insurgency (CI) operations.

The helicopter can also be deployed in high-altitude bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in the jungles and urban environments as well as for supporting ground forces.

-with PTI inputs

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