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HIGH POTENTIAL

India and Korea are eyeing export opportunities

for their indigenously developed rotorcraft

By ATUL CHANDRA

uture needs for military rotorcraft in the region slated to receive an order for 145 additional LCHs to add
could largely be met by helicopters indigenously an initial order for 15 limited series production (LSP) exam-
produced in Korea and India. While Korea is more ples for a total order of 160 helicopters. However, this will
F advanced when it comes to defence exports, now increase to 171 helicopters.
India has the benefit of a large home market that will
offer it economies of scale when it comes to export orders. India’s cabinet committee on security (CCS) which is led
India’s domestic aerospace & defence industry has tra-
ditionally focussed on the license production of imported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the pro-
helicopters, limiting their export appeal. curement of 15 LCH’s in LSP configuration in March 2022
at a cost of approximately US$450 million. 15 LCH Limited
Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with
However, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) now has Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 Cr.
three rotorcraft types, which it can offer for the export
market – the proven advanced light helicopter (ALH) The LCH was formally inducted into the air force in October
Dhruv, the light combat helicopter (LCH) and the light 2022 and is known as “Prachanda”, locally. The LCH is now
utility helicopter (LUH).
in operational service with the IAF’s No. 143 Helicopter
Unit (HU), which operates 10 examples. The LCH is the first
While the former two are twin-engined helicopters in the indigenously designed and developed attack helicop-
5.5 tonne class, the LUH is a single-engine helicopter in ter by HAL and has unmatched high-altitude operating
the three-tonne class. With series production of these capability.
helicopters underway (ALH, LCH), export customers could
expect quick deliveries.
The LCH features robust armour protection and advanced
Ready for Growth navigation system, guns tailored for close combat and air
to air missiles, making it especially suited for the modern
HAL is now eyeing a large order from the Indian air force battlefield. It can operate from high altitude terrain and
(IAF) and army for 156 light combat helicopters in 2024. carry out precision strikes at high altitude targets, making
The order will be divided between the two services, with it a vital addition to the air force arsenal. Hindustan
66 for the air force and 90 for the army. HAL was earlier Aeronautics is also eyeing export orders for this attack

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