India Approves Largest Defence Procurement Deal To Acquire 156 Choppers

India has approved the purchase of 156 indigenously-produced Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, worth over Rs. 2.09 lakh crore. This marks the largest defense procurement deal in Indian history.

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Centre cleared its largest ever defence procurement deal on Friday for the purchase of 156 Made-in-India Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand. According to news agency ANI, the decision was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security in its meeting. The Defence Ministry has signed contracts worth over Rs. 2.09 lakh crore in this finanical year.

India clears biggest ever defence deal for buying 156 Made in India LCH Prachand helicopters. The decision was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security in its meeting today. Defence Ministry has signed contracts worth over Rs 2.09 lakh crore in this financial year: Defence… pic.twitter.com/S16gsHW9PW

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2025

A defence official speaking to ANI has called it as the biggest order for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) so far. The official has also mentioned that the choppers would be built at their plants in Bengaluru and Tumkur in Karnataka.

"This would be the biggest order for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) so far and the choppers would be built at their plants in Bengaluru and Tumkur in Karnataka," according to defence officials as quoted by ANI.

The 156 choppers, according to ANI, would be divided between the Indian Army (90) and the Indian Air Force for operations along the China and Pakistan borders and would be a major step towards creating jobs and expanding the aerospace ecosystem within the country. The HAL received the tender for 156 helicopters in June last year.

Also known as Prachand, the LCH is the world's only attack helicopter that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 meters, which makes it ideal to operate in the high-altitude area of the Siachen glacier in Eastern Ladakh.

The government has been continously emphasising the intention to go for self-reliance in defence manufacturing via Make In India as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.