Here’s everything you need to know about the made-in-India lightweight combat helicopter

• The Light Combat Helicopter is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
• LCH features armoured-protection systems, night attack capability, 20mm gun, 70mm rocket and missiles.
• It has a top speed of 268kmph and a maximum range of 550km.

The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, inducted an indigenously- developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) into Indian Air Force (IAF). The induction occurred in the presence of the Defence Minister and Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari during the induction Ceremony of Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) in Jodhpur.

This light combat helicopter has been developed to boost the Indian Air Force's combat prowess as the helicopter is capable of firing a range of missiles and other weapons.

Key features of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

The Light Combat Helicopter has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). It has been primarily designed for deployment in the high-altitude region. It shares similar traits with the advanced light helicopter Dhruv.

It has a number of stealth features, including armoured-protection systems, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear. The LCH can be deployed in high-altitude areas and all-weather combat conditions, thanks to requisite agility, manoeuvrability, and extended range. Besides this, the helicopter can also be deployed in high-altitude bunker busting operations, urban environments, counter-insurgency, and combat capabilities to support ground forces.

Other than these, several key aviation technologies are used in this helicopter, like glass cockpit, crashworthy bottom structure, anti-resonance isolation system, integrated architecture and display system, IR suppressor, helmet-mounted display system and more.

Coming to weapon capabilities, it has a 20mm gun, 70mm rocket and missiles. The helicopter can fire air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

This Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) weighs 5,800 Kg, has a range of 550km and has a maximum speed of 268kmph. It is powered by a SHAKTI engine that produces a power of 1032kW.

In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a Cabinet Committee on Security, which approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCH at the cost of ₹3,887 crores.

According to the defence ministry, ten helicopters will be introduced, five for Indian Air Force (IAF) and five for the Indian Army.

The helicopter has been tested under stringent operating conditions, such as in the desert and cold Siachen regions. Back in February 2020, the helicopter was declared ready for production.

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