The Indian-made LCH ‘Prachand’ and its significance

Source: The post is based on the article “The Indian-made LCH ‘Prachand’ and its significance” published in The Hindu on 7^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Prachand (meaning fierce) was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

About Light Combat Helicopter

What is the LCH project?

The LCH project can be traced to the 1999 Kargil war when the armed forces felt the need for a dedicated platform capable of operating at high altitudes and delivering precision strikes as the existing attack choppers couldn’t effectively hit targets.

In 2006, the government sanctioned the design and development of the LCH. The ground run and first prototype ‘TD-1’ was completed in 2010. The Indian Army joined the programme in 2013.

The LCH received initial operation clearance in 2017. Earlier this year, the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by PM approved the procurement of 15 limited series production (LSP) variants.

The Indian Army formally inducted its first Light Combat Helicopter on September 29.

How will the LCH give an edge to the armed forces?

The induction of the LCH into the Air Force has been termed as a “big boost” to the combat prowess of the armed forces and a “potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF and the Army”.

The LCH helicopters can be deployed to assume air defence, anti-tank roles in high-altitude, counter-insurgency, and search and rescue operations, and are equipped with advanced technology which can be used to destroy the enemy’s air defence.

It can be deployed to perform Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in the jungle and urban areas and support the ground forces.