Big boost to Make in India: First indigenously developed LCH inducted into IAF by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday, inducted the first batch of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) into Indian Air Force at Jodhpur.
Jodhpur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday, inducted the first fleet of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) into Indian Air Force (IAF) at Jodhpur. Newly-appointed CDS General Anil Chauhan and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari were also present on the occasion. The latest version of the helicopter has been named 'Prachand'. Later, Singh also took a sortie in the newly-inducted chopper.
"There is no need to define ‘Prachand’, the LCH itself is capable of sending out a message to the enemy," he said after the sortie.
"The induction of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) will enhance our capability and will boost defence production. There could not have been a better timing for LCH induction than Navratri and in the land of warriors, Rajasthan," Rajnath Singh said after the induction of the platform.
Singh also highlighted the role played by the IAF in securing India's borders and hailed the courage and bravery of India's air warriors. "The induction of indigenously developed LCH will increase the efficiency of IAF," Singh said in an address to the officers and airmen of the station.
For a long time, there was a need for attack helicopters and during the 1999 Kargil war, the need of attack chopper was felt seriously. The LCH is a result of research and development for two decades - Singh said, while referring to the induction of the platform as an important milestone in defence production.
IAF Chief VR Chaudhari said that the the induction of LCH provides a unique capability to the IAF and added that the helicopter has proved itself in the Himalayan region as well.
Big boost to IAF's combat prowess
The new helicopters is expected to provide a "big boost" to the IAF's "combat prowess". The 5.8-tonne twin-engine helicopter has already completed various weapons firing tests. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by PM Narendra Modi had approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCH at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore. Of these, 10 helicopters were slated to be inducted into the IAF and five are meant for the Indian Army.
LCH is capable of dodging the enemy, carrying a variety of ammunition, and delivering it to the site quickly. LCH perfectly meets the needs of the armed forces in various terrains and it is an ideal platform for both - Army and Air Force.
Developed by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), LCH has been primarily designed for deployment in high-altitude regions. Its induction is crucial on the backdrop of the increasing Chinese activities along the LAC and the threats posed by Pakistan along the Line of Control.
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