At the induction of the first Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) built in India into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Jodhpur Air Force installation in Rajasthan, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the action will increase defence production in the nation.
‘This will boost defence production’: Rajnath Singh
“The introduction of Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) designed domestically would strengthen our capability and increase defence manufacturing. The festival of Navratri and Rajasthan, the home of the warrior, could not have been a better location for LCH induction”
according to Singh
The Light Combat Helicopters can be used in counterinsurgency operations and combat search and rescue missions. They are also capable of damaging enemy air defence.
The Cabinet Committee on Security, presided over by the Prime Minister, approved the purchase of 15 LCH Limited Series Production (LSP) aircraft in March for a cost of Rs 3,887 crore, along with related infrastructure sanctions costing Rs 377 crore. This month, the LCH was formally introduced. Ten of the 15 helicopters being purchased from the LSP will be used by the Indian Army and five by the IAF.
Due to the tandem cockpit design for the pilot and co-pilot gunner, LCH has a small fuselage. For increased survivability, it boasts a multitude of stealth features, armour protection, night attack capability, and crash-worthy landing gear. The 5.5-ton class combat helicopter LCH was created and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., a defense-related public sector enterprise (HAL).
According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the helicopter has the necessary agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance, and 24/7/365 all-weather combat capability to carry out operations such as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), and Counter Insurgency (CI). It can be used in high-altitude bunker busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in both urban and jungle situations, and effective against slow-moving aircraft and remotely-piloted aircraft (RPAs). It can support ground forces in a variety of combat situations with effectiveness.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will also be present at LCH’s induction ceremony.
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