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LUH is powered by a single Safran
Helicopter Engines Ardiden-1U with
dual channel FADEC and EACB.
The helicopter can carry an internal
payload of 500 kg at sea level and
75 kg at 18,000 feet. HAL quotes a
range with payload at 350km and
an endurance of three hours.

HAL’s Prachand attack helicopter is
now in operational service with the
army and air force. The airframer
is completing the deliveries of a
total of 15 LSP LCHs ordered at a © HAL
cost of nearly USD500 million. The
highly agile LCH will dramatically specific needs, it has resulted in provide air assault cover and
enhance the combat capability of long development cycles due to lack undertake anti-armour missions
the Indian armed forces in high-alti- of partnerships with experienced respectively. After the Surion, the
tude warfare. The helicopter will be foreign rotorcraft design houses. LAH is South Korea’s second
able to undertake Combat Search In comparison, South Korea opted domestic helicopter developed with
and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction for a different approach on meet- domestic technology.
of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), ing its next-generation helicopter
Counter Insurgency (CI) operations, requirements. It has opted for a KAI received the first LAH
engage slow moving aircraft and partnership with a foreign OEM and mass production contract at the
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), further development of a proven end of 2022 from the Korea’s
destroy high altitude bunkers and platform, rather than working on Defence Acquisition Programme
conduct operations in jungle and clean sheet designs. Unlike India Administration (DAPA), following
urban terrain in support of ground which has focussed on develop- which it established series produc-
forces. ing helicopters to address its large tion infrastructure, and is currently
military needs and then pursue producing the helicopters with the
customising them for civilian needs; goal of initial delivery by the end of
HAL’s Dhruv helicopter, which
has been in production for over South Korea opted to pursue the 2024. In December 2023, KAI inked
simultaneous development of a new its second LAH mass production
a decade, is now in widespread commercial and military helicopter
service with the Indian Air Force based on an existing design. contract valued at USD 1.06 bil-
(IAF), Indian Army (IA), Indian Navy lion. This contract will also include
(IN) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG). This resulted in Airbus Helicopters development of export derivatives
In total over 300 helicopters have being selected to partner Korea of the LAH and promotion of over-
been delivered to all customers Aerospace Industries (KAI) in seas exports. Deliveries under
(military, paramilitary and civil). 2015 to develop the Light Civil this contract will commence in the
HAL is today producing the Dhruv Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed fourth quarter of 2025 and conclude
in three main variants – MkIII utility, Helicopter (LAH). The decision to around 2030. A KAI official said,
Mk III ‘Maritime’ and MkIV Weapons opt for Airbus Helicopters’ H155
System Integrated (WSI). While the as the base design, dramatically “As the second mass pro-
MkIII and Mk IV variants are oper- reduced development times. The duction contract has been
ated by both the air force and army, first LAH prototype was unveiled signed following the first
the Mk III ‘maritime’ variant is oper- in December 2018, with the new mass production, we will be
ated by the IN and ICG. The Navy type declared ready for provisional
also operates older MkII variants of combat use in December 2020. able to contribute to securing
the Dhruv. The LAH and LCH will have com- stable sales for the company

monality of more than 60%, with while strengthening military
Gunning for Exports the former also being optimised power,” he said. “We will do our
for Manned-Unmanned Teaming
While India has opted for the more (MUM-T) for military missions. The best to ensure that there are
no disruptions to the sched-
arduous approach of designing and LAH will replace the Korean mil-
developing indigenous high-per- itary’s ageing 500MD TOW and ule by complying with the
formance helicopters to meet its AH-1S Cobra helicopters, which delivery date,” he added.
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