HAL set to deliver first batch of 3 Light Combat Helicopters to IAF
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These are half of 15 Limited Series Production helicopters authorised for Army and IAF
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to deliver the first batch of three Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as soon as acceptance assessments are accomplished. These are half of the 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters authorised for the Army and the IAF.
“HAL has received Letter of Intent for five Air force and five Army LCH for delivery pending contract finalisation of 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) LCH. HAL has produced and signalled out three LSP LCH for the IAF. Same will be subjected to customer acceptance and training shortly,” a HAL supply stated.
On the remaining helicopters of the LSP sequence, the supply added, “In the current year we are producing four LCH for Army and two for the Air Force. Remaining six LCH will be produced next year.”
Delayed deal
The deal for the 15 LCH was anticipated to have been signed within the first quarter of 2021 however has been delayed due to the second wave of the pandemic.
The IAF has put ahead a requirement for 65 LCH and the Army for 114 helicopters. Of the 15 LSP helicopters, 10 are for the IAF and 5 for the Army. The LCH, the lightest assault helicopter on the planet weighing 5.5 tonnes, has been designed and developed by the HAL to meet the precise and distinctive necessities of the Indian armed forces and may function at heights of 12,000 toes.
The Army Aviation operates smaller utility helicopters however doesn’t have assault helicopters in its fleet and has for someday pitched for assault helicopters of its personal to function with its strike Corps. The assault helicopter fleet is operated by the Air Force which offers shut air help to the Army.
The IAF operates the older Mi-25 and Mi-35 Russian assault helicopters that are within the course of of being phased out and has inducted 22 AH-64E Apache assault helicopters from the U.S. The Army will even begin receiving the Apache assault helicopters from early 2023 onwards, six of which have been contracted underneath an estimated $800 mn deal from the U.S. in February 2020.
Presently, the Army has 90 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and 75 Rudra, weaponised ALH, helicopters in service that are indigenously designed and developed by the HAL as well as to round 160 older Cheetah and Chetak utility helicopters that are in want of pressing substitute.
Last August, amid the continued standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, two LCH have been deployed for operations at excessive altitude in Leh at quick discover to help IAF missions, validating their functionality.
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