With the objective of adding potency to helicopters of the Army and IAF in battlefield, the Government on Wednesday gave the nod for procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH).  The total deal is worth over Rs 3,800 crore. These machines will be made within the country by the public sector aerospace conglomerate Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Giving details of the contract, officials said here the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the projects here on Wednesday.

They said the apex body gave the go-ahead for procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs 3,887 crore along with infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 377 Crore.

Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state of the art modern combat helicopter containing approximately 45% indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55% for Series Production version.

This helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, maneuverability, extended range, high altitude performance and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD) and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations.

It can also bring down slow moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), high altitude bunker busting operations, Counter Insurgency operations in jungle and urban environments and support to ground forces.  This helicopter will be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force and Indian Army.

State of the art technologies and systems compatible with stealth features such as reduced Visual, Aural, Radar and Infrared signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability have been integrated in the LCH for deployment in combat roles catering to emerging needs for next three to four decades. Several key aviation technologies like Glass Cockpit and composite airframe structure have been indigenised. The future Series Production version will consist of further modern and indigenous systems. Also, the LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world, which can land and take-off at an altitude of 5000 m (16400 ft) with a considerable load of weapons and fuel meeting the specific requirements of the Indian armed forces.

It is proposed to have 145 more such LCHs in the coming few years with the capacity of manufacturing 30 helicopters every year, sources said. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, India is continuously growing in its capability to indigenously design, develop and manufacture advanced cutting edge technologies and systems in the defence sector.

The manufacturing of LCH by the HAL will give a further push to Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and boost indigenisation of defence production and the defence industry in the country.

Moreover, production of the LCH will reduce import dependence for Combat helicopters in the country. Light Combat Helicopters are already in the import embargo list. With its versatile features built in for combat missions, the LCH has export capability.