Through an ambitious state policy, India continues to advance in consolidating its defense industrial base, aimed at supplying locally developed and manufactured weaponry to its Armed Forces. The latest milestone achieved by the Asian country is the formalization of an agreement for the provision of a total of 156 new Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, to be supplied by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Officially designated as Prachand, this is the first attack-specialized helicopter developed locally in India by HAL, in collaboration with multiple local firms associated with the project.
Designed to equip both the Indian Army and Air Force, the LCH has undergone extensive testing and evaluations through prototypes and limited production models over the past few years. Currently, a total of 15 units from the limited production batch have been manufactured, with ten operated by the Indian Air Force and five by the Indian Army.
By mid-last year, negotiations between the Indian government and HAL were made public regarding a potential order for 156 helicopters of this type. The estimated investment for the deal ranged between $5.3 billion and $5.9 billion.
Following these developments, today the Indian Ministry of Defense reached an agreement with HAL for the acquisition of 156 new LCH Prachand helicopters, along with corresponding support packages and training services for crews and pilots.
According to the latest announcement, out of the 156 units, 66 will be allocated to the Indian Air Force, while the remaining 90 will be assigned to the Indian Army. Deliveries of the LCH are expected to begin in the third year of production, within a manufacturing period spanning five years.
The Ministry of Defense has emphasized this new milestone for India’s defense industry and its “Make in India” industrial policy, highlighting that approximately 65% of the Prachand helicopters will feature locally developed and manufactured components. The program is expected to generate up to 8,500 direct and indirect jobs through a network of 250 local companies.
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