Page 21 - ADT SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 Online Magazine

IAF’s combat potential and its versatility and
offensive potential are at par or better than
most attack helicopters operating globally. He
stressed that the IAF would operationalise the
new attack helicopters at the earliest.

Speaking during the induction ceremony of
the IAF’s new attack helicopter, India’s Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh said that the induction
of LCH, with its tremendous power and ver-
satility, would not only enhance the combat
capabilities of the IAF but it was also a big
IAF INDUCTS INDIGENOUS step towards self-reliance in defence produc-
tion, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra
ATTACK HELICOPTER Modi. Singh said the recent conflicts in Ukraine
and elsewhere have shown that heavy weapon
systems and platforms, which do not allow for
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has inducted the indigenously developed rapid movement in the battlefield, are some-
Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which is designed and built by state- times vulnerable and become easy targets for
owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The LCH was the enemy. “Therefore, the need of the hour
inducted into the IAF’s newly raised 143 Helicopter Unit (143 HU) at is to move towards the development of those
Air Force Station Jodhpur in October. The LCH has been named equipment and platforms, which are mobile,
‘Prachand’ (Fierce) in IAF service and is the air arm’s first indigenously have ease of movement, are more flexible, and
built attack helicopter. The LCH joins other indigenous types in IAF at the same time meet the requirements of the
service such as the Tejas light fighter, Dhruv MkIII and MkIV utility armed forces. In this context, LCH has been
and armed helicopters, Akash SAM system and BrahMos super- developed with an unprecedented balance of
sonic cruise missile to name a few. Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, all these features and HAL should be congrat-
Chief of the Air Staff said the LCH adds unique capability to the ulated for this,” he said.
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