Defence

Philippines in Talks to Procure India’s LCH Prachand Helicopter

In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s aerospace prowess on the global stage, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is on the brink of clinching a breakthrough deal with the Philippines for its formidable Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) named “Prachand.”

The LCH, a formidable airborne asset boasting advanced weaponry and battle-tested capabilities, has garnered substantial interest from international buyers, with the Philippines emerging as a promising lead.

Despite the formidable competition in the international market, HAL’s Chief Managing Director, CB Ananthakrishnan, exudes confidence in securing this pivotal contract, underscoring the LCH’s unparalleled performance and appeal in its category. The Philippines, in particular, has expressed keen interest in acquiring the LCH, recognizing its comprehensive capabilities tailored to modern combat exigencies.

HAL’s endeavors to diversify its portfolio and expand its global footprint have gained traction, with discussions progressing swiftly with other potential buyers like Egypt and Nigeria. The recent momentum in negotiations with Nigeria augurs well for HAL’s ambitions to secure breakthrough orders, buoyed by collaborative efforts between the aerospace giant and government initiatives.

Anticipating a surge in demand, HAL has proactively augmented its manufacturing capabilities, poised to ramp up production from 8 to 16 aircraft annually. With the impending completion of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nasik by 2025, HAL aims to further bolster its output to 24 aircraft per year, a testament to its commitment to meeting burgeoning market demands.

The recent milestone of securing the inaugural international order for Indian-built Dornier Aircraft, delivered to the Guyana Defense Forces, underscores India’s burgeoning role as a reliable partner in global defense collaborations. Facilitated by financial assistance from India, this transaction not only fortifies bilateral ties between India and Guyana but also underscores the growing confidence in India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.

Defence

Indian Air Force Considers Anti-Drone Technology for Apache and LCH

India’s military aviation sector is making significant strides with its impressive fleet of helicopters, notably the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, which recently achieved a milestone by conducting its first-ever day-and-night firing of 20 mm turret guns and 70 mm rockets.

Now, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively exploring the development of anti-drone capabilities leveraging its fleet of attack helicopters, including the Boeing AH-64 Apache and the indigenously developed LCH.

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This initiative is a direct response to the increasing threat posed by armed drones and remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), which have transformed modern warfare. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how these advanced aerial systems can bypass traditional anti-aircraft defenses and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

As future conflicts are likely to see widespread use of armed drones, the urgent need for innovative countermeasures against these threats has become clear.

Israel, a close defense partner of India, has been actively utilizing counter-drone operations with its AH-64 attack helicopters for some time.

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Notably, on October 1st, the U.S. Army’s Central Command reported that one of its AH-64 helicopters successfully engaged an unmanned aerial system (UAS) using an upgraded AGM-114 Hellfire missile during the Red Sands training exercise in Saudi Arabia. This successful operation marks a significant advancement in the development of effective counter-drone weapon systems.

The IAF, which already operates AH-64 attack helicopters equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, compare atak 2 vs apache recognizes the necessity of developing a secondary counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability within its helicopter fleet. The LCH, known for its heavy armament and high maneuverability, is already in service and can be customized to fulfill the Air Force’s anti-drone requirements.

Being an indigenous product developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the LCH can be quickly and cost-effectively equipped with new sensors and weaponry to serve in an anti-drone defense role. This adaptability, supported by India’s growing defense industry ecosystem, positions the IAF well to meet emerging aerial threats.