Cabinet Likely To Approve Rs 45,000 Crore Deal To Acquire 145 Light Combat Helicopters From HAL

New Delhi: The Modi cabinet is likely to approve a Rs 45,000 crore deal to acquire 145 Light Combat Helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Army and Air Force.

The defence ministry is strongly advocating for the acquisition of these helicopters to enhance security operations along the borders with Pakistan and China.

If the proposal is cleared by the government, it is expected to generate employment and improve the aerospace ecosystem for the defence forces.

In June 2024, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited received an order for 156 Light Combat Helicopters, which is now in the final stage of clearance following the negotiation phase. Out of these 156 helicopters, 90 will be allocated to the Indian Army and 60 to the Indian Air Force.

Features of HAL’s Light Combat Helicopters

• The Light Combat Helicopters, also known as Prachand, are the only attack helicopters in the world capable of landing and taking off at altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 16,400 feet.
• In addition to their efficiency in high-altitude operations, Prachand helicopters are equipped to fire both air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.
• Prachand choppers have been integrated with data chips which empowers them to participate in network centric operations. The data chips enabled LCH to operational cooperation and force multiplication practices.
• The Light Combat Helicopters have been designed by HAL under Project Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
• The LCH or Prachand was inducted to Indian Air Force formally in October 2022. 

To further promote the Make-in-India initiative and achieve self-reliance in manufacturing through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat program, the Centre has placed an order for 83 Light Combat Aircraft and is in the process of finalising 97 more such aircraft.

The Cabinet Committee on Security has also approved a Rs 7,000 crore deal for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), which is expected to be signed on Wednesday. These howitzers will be manufactured by Bharat Forge and Tata Group.