Cabinet Committee On Security Approves Procurement Of 15 Light Combat Helicopters: Defence Ministry

The defence ministry said 10 helicopters will be for the Indian Air Force and five will be for the Indian Army.

View of light combat helicopter (LCH), India's homegrown attack chopper (File photo: getty)

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 crores.

The defence ministry said 10 helicopters will be for the Indian Air Force and five will be for the Indian Army, as reported by news agency PTI.

"The CCS has supported acquisition of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the expense of Rs 3,887 crore alongside framework sanctions worth Rs 377 crore," it said.

Cabinet Committee on Security approves procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) at the cost of Rs 3,887 crore: Defence ministry

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 30, 2022

Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously evolved battle helicopter containing around 45% indigenous substance by value which will progressively increase to more than 55%.

This helicopter is outfitted with essential agility, mobility, extended range, high elevation execution and all-weather conditions battle capacity to play out a scope of jobs including combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defence (DEAD) and counter-insurgency (CI) activities.

Recently, the Indian Army has started equipping its personnel with SAKO .338 TRG-42 sniper rifles. These rifles imported from Finland are being given to the army personnel stationed at the LoC. Soldiers equipped with this rifle have proved to be more deadly. The role of the sniper shooter is very important in the operational activities of the LoC and the army at the international border.

Significantly, in view of the growing strategic challenges and the global situation, the government is constantly working to strengthen the Indian forces. Last Monday, the Ministry of Defense signed an agreement worth Rs 473 crore with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the construction of eight patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.

According to the information shared by the Ministry, these vessels will be designed, developed and manufactured in the country by GSL.