Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III.
Highlight
- Defense Ministry said that 10 helicopters will be for the Indian Air Force and five for the Indian Army
- The helicopter can also be deployed in high-altitude bunker-busting operations
- This will give further boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative
In a significant move, the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore. The Defense Ministry said that 10 helicopters will be for the Indian Air Force and five for the Indian Army.
CCS has approved production procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Limited Series at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore, along with infrastructure approval for Rs 377 crore.
The Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously developed combat helicopter with about 45 per cent indigenous material by value which will progressively increase to over 55 per cent. State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactures the helicopter.
The decision to procure the helicopters came amid three services focused on enhancing its overall combat capabilities in view of the myriad security challenges India faces, including along borders with China. LCH combat search and rescue (CSAR), destroy enemy air defense (DEAD) and counter-terrorism (CI) operations, according to the ministry.
It said the helicopter can also be deployed for high-altitude bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in jungle and urban environments, and support to ground forces. Helicopters can also be used against slow-moving aircraft and opponents’ Remotely Moving Aircraft (RPA).
The ministry said that it will be a powerful platform to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. “Compatible with state-of-the-art technologies and systems such as low visual, aural, radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for improved survivability are integrated into the LCH to meet the emerging needs for the next three to four combat roles.” decades,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Many key aviation technologies such as the glass cockpit and composite airframe structure have been indigenously built. A future series-production version will include more modern and indigenous systems.” The ministry said that India continues to enhance its capability to indigenously design, develop and manufacture advanced state-of-the-art technologies and systems in the defense sector under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.
“The construction of LCH by HAL will give further boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and will boost defense production and indigenization of defense industry in the country,” it said. The ministry said, “The production of LCH will reduce the dependence on imports for combat helicopters in the country. Light combat helicopters are already on the import ban list. With its versatile features built-in for combat missions, LCH has export potential. “
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