Jodhpur: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday inducted the first batch of indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) named LCH Prachanda, which was conceived after 23 years. It is the only attack helicopter in the world that can operate in the world’s highest battlefield Siachen.
The first squadron of LCH – 143 Helicopter Unit (HU) – was raised at Jodhpur Air Base in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), its induction marks the culmination of a process that began at the end of the 1999 Kargil conflict.
IAF sources said that the battle of the Kargil war showed the need for an indigenously built helicopter that could carry a substantial weapon load, and could also operate at the height of the Himalayas. LCH exactly meets these requirements.
The LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land on forward positions at Siachen at 4,700 meters above sea level with a load of 500 kg.
Seen as a force multiplier, the LCH, the 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter can conduct offensive operations in the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region, unlike other attack helicopters such as the Apache, which are heavy in size.
Interestingly, even before formal induction, LCH was posted by the Indian armed forces in eastern Ladakh where India has been in a standoff with the Chinese military for more than two years.
driven Powered by two Shakti engines, 20 mm turret guns, 70 mm rocket system and Mistral-2 air-to-air missiles, with a top speed of 330 kmph, the induction of LCH is another significant addition to India’s indigenous military build-up. is the moment.
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Indigenous design suitable for the world
Group Captain Rajiv Kumar Narang (retired), now Director Strategic Initiatives at the Drone Federation of India, tells ThePrint: “The indigenous design of the LCH allows it to operate at both sea level and mountains. No helicopter of its class can do this. It’s an Indian design that suits the world.”
Importantly, all the lessons learned from the shortcomings of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and the Kargil conflict have been incorporated into its design, Narang says.
According to the IAF, the LCH can perform anti-armor and anti-infantry roles and also anti-UAV operations. It can also be used for counter-terrorism (COIN) operations.
On 29 September the Army received its first LCH from HAL.
Indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter #lch is included in #Indian Army, first #lch was formally handed over by #HAL to the Director General, #ArmyAviationCorps, highly maneuverable and agile, #lch There will be a significant increase in combat capability. pic.twitter.com/m5DSTlHlc4
– ADG PI – Indian Army (@adgpi) September 29, 2022
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by the Prime Minister was inducted on Monday after six months. Approved Purchase of 15 LCHs for Rs 3,887 crore. In addition, CCS also sanctioned funds for procurement of allied infrastructure for Rs 377 crore. Of the 15 approved, 10 will go to the Indian Air Force and five will go to the Army.
Improved features and 45 percent indigenization
LCH. first prototype of flown out In early 2010, by mid-2010 the LCH had conducted three test trials and was considered to have all the designs required. As a result, several tests were conducted at sea level, at the height of the Siachen Glacier, in areas of high temperature, and in desert areas before its induction, the Air Force said.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has said that the LCH has been manufactured with 45 percent indigenization in terms of value, which will be increased to 55 percent in due course.
The LCH has two Shakti engines. advanced By HAL in association with French Safran Group. its Unique The capability is that it is the only attack helicopter of its class that can take off and land while being loaded with weapons and fuel.
With its agility, maneuverability, extended range, high altitude performance and round-the-clock, all-weather combat capability, Ministry of Defense Told It can perform various tasks including Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Enemy Air Defense (DEAD), Counter Insurgency Operations, Against Slow Moving Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), High Altitude Bunker Busting Operations, Counter Insurgency Operations. could. Supporting ground forces in jungle and urban environments.
The MoD said that it will be a powerful platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF and the Army.
It added that state-of-the-art technologies and systems adapted to stealth features, such as low visual, aural, radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for improved survivability, were integrated into the LCH to meet emerging needs. to be deployed in combat roles. for the next three to four decades.
The LCH also gets advanced features such as helmet-mounted sights, forward-looking infra-red suppression system and glass cockpit. IAF sources told ThePrint that it is also equipped with a self-sealing fuel tank, bulletproof windshield and damage-tolerant main rotor blades.
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learning from the past, for the future
All the learnings from the design flaws of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv are incorporated into the LCH.
“When the ALH was designed, it was conceptualized as a machine that did not exist anywhere in the world. This has helped India develop the LCH as a better and more practical machine. Treat the ALH as a base and ladder through which the LCH has been developed”, explains Narang, retired group captain.
“Now to take the momentum forward, we should induct fighter aircraft and UAVs that are indigenously manufactured in the armed forces,” Narang said.
(Edited by Therese Sudeep)
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