An important step toward enhancing India’s rotary-wing combat capability is the country’s ambitious plan to modernize and mass-produce the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
Attack helicopter With numerous enhancements, Prachand will become the world’s greatest attack helicopter.
The ₹62,700 crore deal, which was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and signed in March 2025, assigns Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) the responsibility of producing and delivering 156 LCHs by 2033, 90 of which will be for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force.
The entire induction will take place over the next five years, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2027–2028.
One of the most adaptable attack helicopters in the world, the updated Prachand is designed to rule low-intensity warfare situations, complicated battlefields, and high-altitude fighting zones.
In order to improve pilot efficiency and target acquisition, the new LCH will also have four major improvements, including a helmet-mounted sighting system and an improved electro-optical targeting pod.
The Indian Army (90 units) and Indian Air Force (66 units) have purchased 156 helicopters in total, with the complete production series expected to be delivered beginning in 2027–2028.
The majority of the modifications and new systems will be created domestically, strengthening India’s defense technology independence. The combat capability and survivability of the LCH will be greatly improved by these enhancements, especially for high-altitude and contested battlefield conditions.
The platform, which is intended to function at altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters, will be used for counter-drone engagements, counter-terror missions, anti-tank strikes, and decisive close air support. These baseline capabilities were demonstrated by existing Limited Series Production units, which are already in service with both forces, using air-to-air missiles, a 20 mm chin-mounted gun, and 70 mm rockets.
A native air-to-ground missile for precision strikes, laser-guided rockets to enhance anti-armour capabilities, a next-generation electronic warfare suite for survivability, nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) detection systems for battlefield resilience, secure data-link communications for network-centric warfare, an onboard obstacle avoidance system, and a directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) suite to thwart hostile missile threats are the seven advanced systems that will be integrated into the upcoming full-production version.
To boost accuracy, nightfighting capability, and crew survivability, these will be complemented by four essential upgrades: improved avionics, a helmet-mounted sighting system, an advanced electro-optical targeting pod, and more dependable mission computers.
The program’s focal point is HAL’s Tumkur factory in Karnataka. The factory can grow from its present capacity of 30 helicopters per year to 100 units annually, guaranteeing on-time delivery schedules.
More than 250 Indian companies will be involved in the project, which will build a broad supply chain ecosystem that includes composite structures, propulsion modules, sensors, avionics, and armament integration. By lowering reliance on foreign platforms, it is anticipated to create more than 8,500 direct jobs in addition to substantial indirect employment and skill development, advancing the objectives of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
In terms of strategy, the fleet introduction will provide India with a strong combat aviation capacity designed especially for a variety of theaters, including conventional warfare, counter-insurgency operations, and high-altitude Himalayan boundaries.
For the Air Force, the Prachand enhances interdiction, air-defence suppression, and land-attack capabilities; for the Army, it will offer natural close air support to striking formations.
With Prachand fully operational in both forces by 2033, India will have one of Asia’s largest and most domestic tandem-seat specialized attack helicopter fleets, equipped to serve both defensive and expeditionary missions.
