PM Modi Hails ‘Prachanda’ Light Combat Helicopters, Says ‘Special Moment For Indians’

LCH Prachanda: The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL. It has potent ground attack and aerial combat capability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that the induction of Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) ‘Prachanda’ is a special moment for the collective resolve of 130 crore Indians to make our nation strong and self-reliant in the defence sector.  Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally inducted the indigenously developed LCH into the Indian Air Force at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The LCH would be assigned to the 143 Helicopter Unit. Prachanda is the name given to LCH.

PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote, "The induction of LCH ‘Prachanda’ is a special moment for the collective resolve of 130 crore Indians to make our nation strong and self-reliant in the defence sector. Congratulations to every Indian!"

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, Air Marshal Vikram Singh Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL Shri C.B. Ananthakrishnan, senior officials of Ministry of Defence, IAF and local dignitaries were present on the occasion. 

Addressing the ceremony, Singh said induction of LCH not only adds to the combat capability of the Air Force but is also a great leap towards the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He added that the need for a combat helicopter was seriously felt during the Kargil War and LCH is a culmination of two decades of effort to address this need.

LCH has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).  It is a state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter, primarily designed for deployment in high-altitude regions. LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world which can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 m with a considerable load of weapons and fuel.

This helicopter is powered by two Shakti engines and is equipped with stealth features, all-weather combat capability, armour protection, night attack capability, and crash-worthy landing gear. The narrow fuselage with tandem cockpit configuration makes LCH extremely maneuverable and agile. Stealth features like low radar cross section and minimal infrared signature allow it to go behind enemy lines undetected and attack with precision, as per a release by PIB. 

LCH has a range of 550 km and an operational ceiling of 6500 m.  It is armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, 70 mm rockets and a 20 mm gun. It boasts of a full glass cockpit, Electronic Warfare suite and helmet-mounted display for the flying crew, statement by ministry of defense. 

The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL. It is capable of both ground and aerial attacks. Inducted into the Indian Air Force's newly raised No. 143 Helicopter Unit, it is a testament to India's growing prowess in indigenous design, development, and manufacturing, as well as a significant milestone on the path to 'Atmanirbharta' in Defence. The helicopter has modern stealth capabilities, strong armour protection, and a formidable night attack capability.

The LCH is well-suited for the modern battlefield thanks to its advanced navigation system, close-combat guns, and potent air-to-air missiles. The helicopter is a formidable addition to the IAF's arsenal, capable of operating from high altitude terrain and carrying out precision strikes on high altitude targets.