The first batch of indigenous developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) will be added to the Indian Air Force’s inventory at a ceremony in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, giving the IAF a significant boost in combat capabilities.

Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, will be present as the indigenous helicopters are accepted into the IAF.The new helicopter being recruited into the army has aerial warfare capabilities and will aid the force in combating slow-moving aircraft, drones, and armoured columns during battles. Rajnath Singh, who has been crucial in advancing cases for troops to purchase indigenous platforms, will oversee the induction event.

10 facts about the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) made by Indian HAL. (Opens in a new browser tab)

To satisfy the needs of the military forces, the choppers have been flown extensively in Ladakh and the desert region. In the past three to four years, the IAF has added a number of helicopters to its fleet, including the Chinooks, Apache assault helicopters, and now LCHs.

On March 30, 2022, CCS gathered in New Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CCS has approved the purchase of 15 Limited Series Production Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) For a total of Rs. 3,887 Cr. along with infrastructure sanctions of Rs. 377 Cr.

An indigenously designed, developed, and produced modern combat aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) has approximately 45 percent indigenous content by value and will have more than 55 percent for the SP Version.

IAF to induct first batch of domestically built LCH at Jodhpur (Opens in a new browser tab)

Many important aviation technology, like composite airframe structures and glass cockpits, have been indigenously developed. The upcoming Series Production version will have further contemporary and native systems. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, India is steadily improving its capacity to design, develop, and produce innovative cutting-edge technologies and systems on its own in the defence sector.

The production of LCH by HAL will support the Atmanirbhar Bharat project and advance the localization of defence production and the nation’s defence sector. LCH will lessen the nation’s reliance on imported combat helicopters. The embargo list for imports of light combat helicopters is already in place. LCH is capable of exporting due to its flexible characteristics that are integrated for combat operations.

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