India finally approves production of combat helicopters
The manufacture of 15 LCHs has been authorised, but these will likely be modified in ensuing production runs. (Gordon Arthur)
Approval to produce indigenous combat helicopters has been a long time coming for HAL, but it now has a green light for limited series production.
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the INR38.87 billion ($13.5 million) procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The committee also sanctioned HAL an additional INR3.77 billion for infrastructure to build these limited series production helicopters, ten of which are for the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and five for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Industry officials said both services would operate the 15 LCHs to gauge their operational performance, following which, recommended changes would be incorporated for additional series production orders.
HAL anticipates orders for 179 LCHs – 114 for the army and
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Japan selects T-6 Texan II for pilot training]()
Japan selects T-6 Texan II for pilot training
The T-6 Texan II aircraft will replace the Fuji/Subaru T-7 aircraft in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
-
![Embraer “confident” as C-390 and A-29 production ramps up in 2025]()
Embraer “confident” as C-390 and A-29 production ramps up in 2025
Embraer chief commercial officer Frederico Lemos said that it was aiming to produce more than 10 of its C-390 multi-mission aircraft a year by 2030, with some A-29 aircraft already allocated and ready for delivery.
-
![Switzerland’s Hermes 900 procurement faces further delays and headwinds]()
Switzerland’s Hermes 900 procurement faces further delays and headwinds
The Swiss Federal Audit Office has said the drones won’t meet planned military requirements until 2029, after extensive delays pushed timeline back to the end of 2026.
