IAF to Induct First Made-in-India Light Combat Helicopter Today | Major Features Explained

Jodhpur: In a first, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will introduce and induct the first batch of indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), in a boost to its combat prowess as the multi-role platform is capable of firing a range of missiles and other weapons, in Jodhpur on Monday. It will be inducted into the IAF at a ceremony in Jodhpur in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, officials said on Sunday. The defence ministry had said 10 helicopters would be for the IAF and five will be for the Indian Army.Also Read – Video: Prachand First Made In India Light Combat Helicopter Inducted Into IAF Designed High-Altitude Regions

Taking to twitter, Rajnath Singh tweeted, “The induction of these helicopters will be a big boost to the IAF’s combat prowess.” Also Read – IAF Fighter Planes In Air After Iranian Plane Heading To Beijing Receives Bomb Threat

The helicopter can also be used against slow-moving aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) of adversaries.

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. Also Read – Viral Video: Indian Army Jawans Sing 'Sandese Aate Hain' During Meet With Rajnath Singh, Internet Gets Emotional | Watch

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

The 5.8-tonne twin-engine helicopter has already completed various weapons firing tests

The helicopter has been tested under stringent operating conditions including at sea level, in desert regions and in Siachen. In February 2020, it was declared ready for production. The Army has a plan to acquire 95 LCH largely for a combat role in the mountains.

LCH – MAJOR FEATURES EXPLAINED

1. Made for High Altitude Regions – The aircraft has been majorly designed for
2. Special Features – The LCH has similarities with Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv. It has a number of stealth features, armoured-protection systems, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear for better survivability, officials said.
3. High Altitude Performance – 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.
4. State-Of-The-Art Tech – This state-of-the-art technologies and systems are compatible with stealth features such as reduced visual, aural, radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability have been integrated into the LCH for deployment in combat roles.
5. Feature to Support Ground Force – 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.
6. Remotely Piloted Aircraft– The helicopter can also be used against slow-moving aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) of adversaries.
7. Key Aviation Technologies -Several key aviation technologies like a glass cockpit and composite airframe structure have been indigenised.
8. The 5.8-tonne twin-engine helicopter has already completed various weapons firing tests, they said.

Officials said it would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF and the Indian Army. The future series-production version will consist of further modern and indigenous systems, they said.

Four LCH helicopters have already been accepted by the IAF. The officials said IAF plans to procure more LCH in the near future.