With the planned delivery of the first batch of LCH Prachand helicopters to the Indian Armed Forces starting in March 2028, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to reach a major milestone in India’s domestic defense industry.
With a total of 156 helicopters—66 for the Indian Air Force and 90 for the Indian Army—this enormous purchase significantly increases India’s capacity for domestic defense manufacturing and operational preparedness.
Officially entering service on October 3, 2022, the LCH Prachand is a revolutionary development in India’s rotorcraft capabilities, designed for high-altitude operations in the difficult Himalayan terrain where traditional attack helicopters have historically had difficulty operating efficiently.
The 1999 Kargil War revealed the Indian Armed Forces’ deficiency of appropriate armed rotorcraft that could operate unhindered in high-altitude theaters of operation, which led to the conception and construction of the HAL Prachand. Both HAL and the Indian Armed Forces began preliminary work on creating an indigenous combat helicopter that would precisely solve these operational shortcomings as a result of this conflict.
It became evident that India needed a domestically built attack helicopter that could operate successfully in the Himalayan region’s particular geographic and climatic conditions, where terrain, altitude, and weather present extraordinary challenges to traditional military aviation assets.
When HAL said in 2006 that it was committed to creating a rotorcraft specifically made for these stringent operational needs, the Light Combat Helicopter development program was formally announced. Although it was originally anticipated that the program would attain Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by December 2010, the intricacy of creating such a sophisticated system led to multiple delays, which were ascribed to a number of factors, such as difficulties integrating cutting-edge technologies into a platform that could function in harsh environments.
By using the existing HAL Dhruv helicopter as a base, the development process was greatly accelerated. This strategic choice drastically decreased program costs and sped up the development timeframe by utilizing tested parts and systems.
The HAL Prachand is an advanced combination of contemporary combat helicopter technology that are especially tailored for multi-role operations in demanding conditions.
A pilot and co-pilot/gunner can both be accommodated in the aircraft’s two-person tandem cockpit arrangement, which facilitates effective cooperation during challenging combat missions. With a maximum take-off weight of 5,800 kg and two 1,032 kW (1,384 hp) HAL/Turbomeca Shakti-1H1 turboshaft engines, the Prachand has remarkable performance capabilities, such as a top speed of 280 km/h and a 700-kilometer operational range when its weapons systems are deployed. The high-altitude operational needs that proved difficult during the Kargil conflict are especially addressed by the helicopter’s service ceiling of 6,500 meters and rate of climb of 12 meters per second.
To increase its efficacy in contested settings, the aircraft has a number of stealth and survivability features. These consist of infrared suppressors mounted on engine exhausts, digital camouflage devices, and an exterior with canted flat panels to reduce radar cross-section. Armour protection, crash-worthy landing gear, and an integrated dynamic system with a hingeless main rotor and bearingless tail rotor that work together with an anti-resonance isolation system to reduce vibrations are all examples of the structural design’s emphasis on survival. The LCH’s rotor system helps make it “probably the most agile design in the world,” greatly increasing its maneuverability and operational efficacy, according to HAL’s Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre.
With its comprehensive glass cockpit and Integrated Avionics and Display System (IADS), which uses numerous multifunction displays in conjunction with an onboard target acquisition and designation (TADS) system, the LCH Prachand boasts cutting-edge avionics systems. The helmet-mounted sight (HMS), which is the main tool for targeting and weapons engagement and gives pilots improved situational awareness and engagement capabilities during combat missions, is an essential part of this system. With radar warning receivers (RWR), laser warning receivers (LWR), and missile approach warning (MAW) systems that can counter several threat vectors, the electronic warfare suite from the South African branch of Saab Group delivers complete protection.
The Elbit CoMPASS optoelectronic suite, which is manufactured locally by Bharat Electronics Limited, is the foundation of the helicopter’s sensor capabilities. It includes a CCD camera, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imaging sensor, laser rangefinder, and laser designator to enable target acquisition in all weather conditions, including at night.
Integrated with a helmet-mounted sight system for accurate aiming, the weapons configuration consists of a single 20mm M621 cannon mounted on a Nexter THL-20 turret with a fire rate of 800 rounds per minute. Air-to-air missiles like the MBDA ATAM, anti-tank guided missiles like the domestic HELINA/Dhruvastra system, and different rocket designs like the 70mm FZ275 LGR rockets are examples of secondary armament options for taking on a variety of target groups.
The LCH Prachand’s adaptability across several operational areas makes it especially useful for the Indian Armed Forces’ varied mission requirements. The aircraft performs exceptionally well in anti-tank missions because of its low and quick flight, which effectively engages enemy armored columns while reducing exposure to ground-based air defense systems. By operating ahead of advancing ground forces in reconnaissance and scouting missions, the helicopter may identify enemy presence and give commanders real-time intelligence, greatly improving situational awareness and operational planning skills.
The aircraft’s design especially targets air defense operations, addressing a crucial capability gap in India’s layered air defense architecture by being able to engage slow-moving aerial targets, such as manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Combat search and rescue (CSAR) support, urban warfare support, escort missions for special heliborne operations (SHBO), destruction of enemy air defense systems, counter-insurgency operations (COIN), Counter Surface Force Operations (CSFO), and armed aerial reconnaissance are additional operational roles. The LCH Prachand’s multi-role capabilities guarantees that it can adjust to different threat situations and operational scenarios, giving commanders adaptable and responsive air support choices for the entire range of military operations.
LCH Prachand helicopters are expected to be delivered starting in March 2028, marking the completion of more than 20 years of domestic development initiatives that started as a reaction to operational lessons discovered during the Kargil War. This program demonstrates the maturing of indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities while also considerably enhancing India’s rotorcraft capabilities, with 156 helicopters contracted for delivery to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. From its sophisticated avionics and weapons systems to its unique high-altitude performance characteristics, the LCH Prachand’s technical complexity makes it a potent addition to India’s defense arsenal.
