In a landmark decision, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Friday cleared India's biggest-ever contract for procuring 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) costing more than ₹62,000 crore. The helicopters would be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and delivered to the Indian Army as well as the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This is the largest order HAL has so far received, and the helicopters will be manufactured at HAL's Bengaluru and Tumkur plants in Karnataka.
Of the total of 156 helicopters, the Indian Army would be allotted 90, with the remaining to go to the IAF. They would be put into operations in the areas near China and Pakistan, highly augmenting warfighting potential at high altitude. The project also stands to provide jobs and spur domestic aerospace business in India, say defence officials.
HAL won the tender for these helicopters last June, and the IAF was the lead agency for the joint buying process.
Prachand: The World's Only Attack Helicopter for Extreme Altitudes
The Light Combat Helicopter, or Prachand, is the only attack helicopter in the world that can take off and land at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) of altitude. This places it in the best position for operations in extreme high-altitude regions like the Siachen Glacier and eastern Ladakh.
Capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, the Prachand can destroy adversary air defense systems and is thus a key addition to India's aerial warfare capability.
A Big Shot in the Arm for Self-Reliance in Defense Production
The deal's approval is in tune with the Indian government's Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) policy, which seeks indigenous defense production under the Make in India policy.
Apart from this helicopter transaction, the government has ordered major indigenous defense systems, such as the 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for IAF, with the final negotiations struck for another 97 aircraft.
Future Defense Purchases: ATAGS Howitzers DealFinalized
In addition to the LCH contract, the CCS also cleared a ₹7,000 crore contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) howitzers, a project divided between Bharat Forge and the Tata Group. The contract signing is to take place on Wednesday.
Through these strategic acquisitions, India continues to enhance its defense capabilities while reinforcing its domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
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