Jhansi, Nov 19 (FN Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday handed over the HAL produced indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv’ here. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari symbolically received the LCH in presence of several dignitaries. The LCH is a dedicated combat helicopter, designed and developed indigenously for the first time in India. LCH is the only Attack Helicopter in the world, which can land and take-off at an altitude of 5000 m (16400 ft) with considerable load of weapons and fuel, meeting the specific requirements of Indian Armed Forces.
In a statement here, HAL said it has proactively initiated advance action towards launching the production activities of 15 LCH Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters approved for the Army and the IAF. “Material procurement for all 15 helicopters have been completed. Three helicopters are ready for delivery to users and the balance helicopters are in advanced stages of production,” it said. HAL has initiated various planning activities and drawn a detailed master plan for achieving the peak rate production capacity of 30 helicopters per annum, in order to cater to production of balance 145 LCHs, added the statement. The LCH is also being continuously upgraded with advancement of technologies. Improved Electronics Warfare (EW) Suite, Directional Infra-Red Counter Measure (DIRCM), Air to Ground Missile (ATGM), Data link, Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM), Bombs, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection and Wire cutter are being incorporated, said the statement.
“Being a unique helicopter in this weight category and with this kind of capabilities, LCH is also expected to have a good export potential,” the HAL said. LCH is a twin-engine, 5.8-tonne class helicopter featuring narrow fuselage and tandem configuration for Pilot and Co-pilot/Weapon System Operator (WSO). It incorporates a number of stealth features such as reduced radar and infra-red signatures and crashworthy landing gear for better survivability. LCH incorporates advanced technologies and is designed to carry out roles such as Destruction of enemy air defence, Counter insurgency, Search and rescue, antitank, Counter Surface Force Operations etc. A truly ‘Make in India’ product built with private industry participation, more than 250 vendors are involved in manufacturing of components, assemblies, tools and test equipment and preparation of technical documentations apart from 70 vendors involved in indigenization of various items. Post 1999 Kargil war, the need to have an effective helicopter weapons platform to deliver precision strikes at high altitude was felt by IAF. The Design and Development of LCH was sanctioned by the Government in October 2006. Subsequently, Indian Army joined the programme during December 2013, leading to a total projected requirement of 160 LCHs. IAF issued Air Staff Qualitative Requirements during July 2016 for Limited Series Production (LSP) of LCH. Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for LCH LSP for IAF was accorded by CEMILAC during August 2017 based on the compliance to ASQR. The IOC for Indian Army was received in February 2019, it added.