The Indian Army intends to procure around 95 Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) and also 110 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to enhance the profile of its combat aviation wing.
The Prachand helicopters will be fitted with the Helina missile, which has completed compatibility trials. Earlier, the Indian Army has inducted 3 LCHs with 2 on order.
On the other hand, the Indian Air Force has inducted four LCH on October 3, 2022 with 6 on order and 65 planned
About Prachand LCH – The Prachand is an Indian multi-role, light attack helicopter designed and manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under project LCH. It has been ordered by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army
LCH has maximum possible commonality with ALH. LCH with a narrow fuselage has pilot and co-pilot/gunner in tandem configuration incorporating a number of stealth features, Armour protection, Night attack capability and crash worthy landing gear for better survivability.
The major features of LCH are:
- Glass Cockpit
- Crashworthy bottom structure
- Crashworthy fixed tricycle type with tail wheel landing gear
- Canted flat panels for low Radar Cross Section
- Integrated Dynamic System
- Hinge less Main Rotor / Bearing less Tail Rotor
- Anti-Resonance Isolation System
- Integrated Architecture and Display System (IADS)
- IR Suppressor
- Counter Measuring Dispensing System (CMDS)
- EO pod, Helmet Mounted Display System & EW suite
- 20mm Gun, 70mm Rocket & Missiles
- Air to Air Missiles (ATAM)
- Air to Ground Missiles (ATGM)
Technical Parameters
- MTOW: 5800 Kg
- Max. speed: 268 Kmph
- Range: 550 Km
- Service Ceiling: 6.5 km
- Oblique climb rate: 12 m/s
Power Plant
- SHAKTI engine (2 no.)
- Power is 1032 kW
