The induction of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Prachanda helicopter into the Indian Air Force's role as a light combat helicopter (LCH) is a plus to developing homegrown weapons.

Indian PM Narendra Modi noted the addition of the LCH is a drive to make India less dependent on foreign arms makers, especially in the self-defense department.

India Boosts Arms Development

PM Modi called the addition of the new advanced India attack chopper an outstanding addition to the Indian armed forces, reported Indian Defence News.

PM Modi was involved with the Cabinet Committee on Security that approved the acquisition of 15 of these LCHs for using the air force and army.

Ten of the 15 limited series production helicopters approved are for the IAF and five for the army. Officials have confirmed it can land and take off from a high elevation of 5,000 meters while carrying weapons and fuel, noted The Economic Times.

Singh mentioned that LCH could enhance its capability and increase defense manufacturing, illustrating India's dedication to self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The official stated that the LCH was developed after twenty years of research and development and that the timing was perfect for its introduction at a time when it was most needed.

The addition of the light combat helicopter to the force will aid the Indian Air Force with aerial superiority in combating compatible threats.

HAL's Prachanda helicopter can fight slow-moving planes like the A-10 and the Su-25 Frogfoot, as well as armed and reconnaissance drones, but it is best suited to attacking unprotected MBTs, IFVs, and light tanks, as well as personnel.

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But MANPADs can be counteracted by standoff weapons that might be better than the Hellfire Romeo and Longbow. The LCH is a specialized combat helicopter designed and developed in India and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

HAL Chairman and Managing Director CB Ananthakrishnan added that the aerospace company's offering is top-notch innovative technology as the best combat choppers in the world.

To date, it's an attack chopper that is customized to work at 5,000 meters up, take off, and land in the highest ranges compared to the AH-64 Apache or a similar Russian copter.

Indian Light Combat Helicopter

Knowing the competition it would meet, HAL ensured it would smoke adversaries with power to spare with dual Turbomeca Shakti-1H1turboshaft engines (1,384 shp).

Powerful dual powerplants with a top speed of 268 to 330 km/h as the top most speed; a range of 550 km with fully topped-out fuel tanks. Armed with the Mistral 2 air-to-air missiles of French origin, also a safe and effective armament in combat, per Bulgarian Military.

When dealing with opposing personnel or other aircraft, it is a 20 mm M621 cannon mounted on a THL-20 turret. A plethora of laser targeting and tank killer guided missiles can rock vehicles with cluster bombs and dumb bombs too.

Adding the LCH to the Indian Air Force was followed several days after a government committee signed the buying of the HAL's Prachanda helicopter(15 units) as a light combat helicopter.

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