A Prachand during a sortie. (File photo)
New Delhi: The prime minister-headed Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India’s highest decision-making body, has approved the procurement of 156 indigenously manufactured light combat helicopters (LCH) "Prachand" for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The committee granted the approval on Friday.
Following this decision, the Ministry of Defence and state-owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract worth ₹62,700 crore, which includes associated equipment.
The induction of LCH Prachand will enhance operational capabilities of both services, particularly in high-altitude areas. Currently, the Indian Air Force operates 10 LCHs at Jodhpur in Rajasthan, while the Indian Army has five at Missamari in Assam, as India Sentinels had reported. These helicopters were part of a “limited series production”.
Background of the Decision
In June 2024, the defence ministry issued a request for proposal to HAL for procuring 156 LCH Prachand units. According to the proposal, 90 Prachand helicopters were designated for the Army Aviation Corps and 66 for the IAF.
In November 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by the defence minister, approved the necessity for procuring these multi-role, two-crew cockpit LCHs under the “Buy Indian – Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM)” category.
The first LCH prototype made its maiden sortie in March 2010 and successfully demonstrated its capability to land and take off from high altitudes, including the Siachen glacier.
It is the world’s only stealth helicopter capable of operating at an altitude of 16,400 feet. The helicopter can fire various air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and can neutralize enemy air defence platforms.
The defence ministry first recognized the need for stealth helicopters during the 1999 Kargil conflict, specifically for high-altitude operations.
About Prachand
The HAL light combat helicopter, named “Prachand” (meaning “Fierce”), is a dedicated attack helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. While sharing its lineage with the HAL Dhruv utility helicopter and its weaponized variant “Rudra”, the LCH is a distinct platform specifically designed for combat operations, especially in high-altitude environments.
With a top speed exceeding 288 kilometres per hour and a combat radius of 500 kilometres, Prachand’s cockpit features armoured panels protecting both the pilot and weapon systems operator.
Prachand is equipped with a 20-millimetre nose gun, 70-millimetre rocket pods, and can deploy Dhruvastra anti-tank guided missiles and French Mistral-2 air-to-air missiles.
The helicopter features an electro-optical pod for surveillance and target tracking, and is fitted with advanced defence systems to counter electronic warfare, including radar warning receivers, missile approach warning systems, and laser warning systems.
Development History
The LCH programme was initiated in 2006 following operational lessons from the 1999 Kargil War, which highlighted the need for attack helicopters capable of operating effectively in high-altitude terrains. HAL developed the platform building upon its experience with the Dhruv helicopter.
The LCH made its maiden flight on March 29, 2010, in Bangalore, marking a significant milestone as India’s first indigenous attack helicopter.
Technical Capabilities
The LCH is a versatile combat platform tailored for modern warfare with these key features:
Armaments and Weaponry
* 20mm Nexter turret gun mounted on the nose for precision targeting
* 70mm Rockets for ground strikes and bunker-busting operations
* Air-to-air missiles, including Dhruvastra and MBDA Mistral
* Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) designed to engage armoured targets, with future integration planned for the Indian Helina missile
Avionics and Sensors
* Glass cockpit with multifunction displays
* Helmet-mounted sight system for targeting
* Electro-optical pod featuring CCD camera, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), laser rangefinder, and laser designator
* Integrated Defensive Aids Suite for self-protection, including radar warning receiver, missile approach warning system, and chaff/flare dispensers
Design Features
* Twin Shakti engines co-developed by HAL and Safran Turbomeca
* Crashworthy landing gear and self-sealing fuel tanks
* Stealth features reducing radar and infrared signatures
* Capability to operate in extreme weather conditions, including deserts and high-altitude Himalayan regions
Operational Roles
The LCH is designed for:
* High-altitude operations, such as in the Siachen Glacier
* Ground attack missions against enemy air defences and bunkers
* Counter-insurgency operations in jungle and urban environments
* Escorting heliborne missions and combat search-and-rescue operations
Service Induction
The LCH has been inducted into two branches of the Indian armed forces:
Indian Air Force: Inducted on October 3, 2022, into No. 143 Helicopter Unit at Jodhpur Air Force Station under the name Prachand
Indian Army Aviation Corps: The Army variant has been operational since mid-2022, with weaponry tailored for specific ground-support requirements
While both services operate the Prachand, it differs from the Rudra, which is a weaponized version of the Dhruv helicopter primarily used for armed reconnaissance and troop transport.
Current Status
As of March 2025:
* HAL has produced 15 limited series production units – 10 delivered to the IAF and five to the Army Aviation Corps
* The larger order of 156 helicopters recently approved by the Ministry of Defence will see production increase significantly over the next five years
The HAL LCH Prachand represents a significant advancement in India’s indigenous defence capabilities, filling critical operational requirements for high-altitude warfare while complementing existing platforms, like Rudra and Apache helicopters.
