Inside Prachand LCH: India’s indigenous helicopter built for precision and high-altitude warfare

NEW DELHI: The Army on Friday praised the indigenously developed Prachand Light Combat Helicopter after it successfully carried out a live firing exercise.Sharing details on X, the Army’s Gajraj Corps said the exercise demonstrated the helicopter’s precision and high-altitude combat capability. “Under the aegis of #GajrajCorps, the Indian Army’s indigenously developed Prachand -- Light Combat Helicopter successfully carried out live firing exercise.

Built for precision and high-altitude warfare, Prachand’s stellar performance reaffirmed India’s growing strength in multi-domain operations,” the post said.

The Army added that the exercise improved operational readiness and highlighted the firepower and professionalism of its troops.The Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Air Force and the Army.

It is India’s first indigenous attack helicopter designed specifically for high-altitude warfare.

Light, agile and highly manoeuvrable, the helicopter is equipped with armour protection and advanced targeting systems. It can carry a range of weapons, including a 20 mm turret gun, air-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles and 70 mm rockets.The helicopter is designed for missions such as anti-tank operations, air defence suppression, close air support and counter-insurgency operations.

It can operate from forward bases at altitudes above 5,000 metres, making it suitable for deployment in mountainous regions, including areas near the Siachen Glacier.India signed a contract with HAL on March 30, 2022, for the procurement of Limited Series Production (LSP) Prachand helicopters. Later, on January 15, 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council also granted Acceptance of Necessity for further procurement of the helicopter’s series production version.