The Indian Ministry of Defense has signed two contracts for the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The total purchase price is 6.97 billion euros.
One contract covers the delivery of 66 LCH to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the second the delivery of 90 LCH to the Indian Army. In addition to the helicopters, the purchase price also includes other equipment and various training services. All in all, this is the largest defense contract in India’s history.
The order was already approved by the Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) in November 2023 and has now been finalized. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2028 and extend over five years.
The Prachand light combat helicopter is intended to improve the combat capability of the Indian armed forces at high altitudes. Prachand is the first combat helicopter developed and manufactured in India that can operate at altitudes of over 5,000 meters.
The combat helicopter consists to a large extent of components that were developed and manufactured in India. In the course of the procurement process, more than 65 percent of the components are to be sourced locally. Over 250 domestic companies – mainly small and medium-sized enterprises – are involved in the program. This will create more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs in the country, according to a recent press release.
There are currently ten examples of the Prachand at the Jodhpur Air Station of the Indian Air Force. Five more aircraft are operated by the Indian Army at the Army Aviation Base Missamari operated by the Indian Army.
The HAL Prachand has an empty weight of 2,250 kilograms and reaches a maximum take-off weight of 5,800 kilograms. Two turbines with 1,384 hp each accelerate the combat helicopter up to 280 km/h. The maximum operational altitude is 6,500 meters.
The armament includes a swivel-mounted 20-millimeter on-board cannon from Nexter (KNDS), laser-guided FZ275 LGR missiles from Thales and ATAM Mistral air-to-air missiles from MBDA. Further weapon options are already being planned.
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