HAL’s Prachand Choppers Set for Mass Deployment in High-altitude areas, Army & IAF to Get 145 LCHs Soon

New Delhi, India - The Indian armed forces are set to get a major firepower boost, with the Union Cabinet expected to soon clear a deal for 145 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). With tensions along the China and Pakistan borders dictating the need for homegrown, high-performance attack choppers, the Defence Ministry is pushing hard for the acquisition, sources told ANI.

HAL secured the tender for 156 LCHs last year, and after months of negotiations, the final nod is just around the corner. The Indian Army will get 90 helicopters, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive 66. The IAF is spearheading the procurement, ensuring that both services are adequately equipped to handle mountain warfare and high-altitude combat scenarios.

The ‘Prachand’ Power Play

The LCH, aptly named "Prachand" (Fierce), is a beast built for extreme conditions. It’s the only attack helicopter in the world that can take off and land at 16,400 feet (5,000 meters), making it perfect for operations in Siachen Glacier, Eastern Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh—areas where China and Pakistan constantly test India’s patience.

The Prachand isn’t just about altitude; it’s about firepower and agility. Armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, rockets, and turret guns, it can take down enemy tanks, bunkers, and drones, and even suppress air defence systems. The stealth design, armour protection, and advanced sensors make it a nightmare for adversaries trying to operate in contested airspace.

A Win for ‘Make in India’

This deal is another feather in the cap for Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India movement. HAL has already delivered 15 LCHs in limited series production, and now, with a bulk order in sight, India’s defence manufacturing sector is set to get a major push. The deal is expected to create thousands of jobs, strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem, and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers—a crucial step given global geopolitical uncertainties.

It’s not just the LCH deal—India’s defence expansion spree continues. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recently approved the purchase of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) howitzers, a ₹7,000 crore contract that will be split between Bharat Forge and Tata Group. The contract is set to be signed this Wednesday, adding to India's push for indigenous heavy artillery capabilities.

The government has already placed the biggest-ever order for indigenous fighter jets, with 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) on the way and another 97 in the pipeline. The message is loud and clear: India is done relying on foreign defence giants—it’s time to dominate with homegrown firepower.

What’s Next?

The LCH deal is expected to be greenlit soon, setting the stage for an accelerated induction process. With high-altitude battlespaces becoming more contested than ever, these helicopters will play a critical role in India’s border defence strategy.

As China aggressively builds airfields in Tibet and Pakistan continues its misadventures across the LoC, India is gearing up for the future. And with Prachand taking flight, that future looks well-armed and battle-ready.