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The Indian-made LCH ‘Prachand’ and its significance

The Indian-made LCH ‘Prachand’ and its significance

  • The indigenously developed LCHPrachand was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force at the Jodhpur air base.
  • The multi-role attack helicopter has been customised as per the requirements of the Indian armed forces to operate both in desert terrains and high-altitude sectors.
  • The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft).
  • It is also capable of firing a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.

What is the LCH project?

  • Kargil war (1999) : 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.
  • 2006: Government sanctioned the design and development of the LCH.
  • 2010: The ground run was first carried out and the first prototype ‘TD-1’ took its maiden flight on March 29, 2010, as the crew carried out low-speed, low-altitude checks on the systems.
  • 2013: The Indian Army joined the programme.
  • 2017: After extensive flight testing in diverse terrains and weather conditions, the LCH received initial operation clearance.
  • 2020: It was declared ready for production. A year later, Prime Minister handed over the LCH to the Indian Air Force.
  • 2022: The Indian Army formally inducted its first Light Combat Helicopter on September 29.

What are the main features of LCH?

  • Twin Shakti engines
  • The LCH is a 5.8-tonne class combat helicopter with potent ground attack and aerial combat capability.
  • Maximum speed of 288 kmph
  • Combat radius of 500 km, which can go up to a service ceiling of 21,000 feet, making it ideal to operate in Siachen.
  • Stealth features : Reduced radar and infra-red signatures, crashworthy features for improved survivability, armoured-protection systems and night attack capability.

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

  • The LCH helicopters can be deployed to assume:
  • Air defence
  • Anti-tank roles in high-altitude
  • Counter-insurgency, and search and rescue operations
  • 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.
  • The helicopters are likely to be deployed along the Line of Actual Control along with Apache choppers.

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