New Delhi, Sept 29:The Indian Air Force is going to place orders for 156 more Prachand Light Combat Helicopters with HAL, which would be deployed at both the China and Pakistan front by the IAF and the Indian Army. This could be considered one of the biggest pushes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector. In the past 15 months, the two agencies have already added 15 of these helicopters to their fleet after testing them in some of the world’s worst weather and terrain. Senior defence officials stated that the Indian Air Force, as the leading force, has submitted a request to the government for the purchase of 156 additional Prachand helicopters as a joint acquisition case, which is likely to be granted soon. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the head of the Indian Air Force, recently made an announcement from abroad on the force’s intention to purchase approximately 100 additional Light Combat Aircraft Mark 1A to promote indigenization. In terms of value, the two projects add up to more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The Indian Air Force would receive 66 of the 156 helicopters, and the Indian Army would obtain the remaining 90.The Prachand has undergone extensive test flights by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in accordance with the Indian Air Force’s demand that it be a weapon system entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India. The assault helicopter was created to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces and can operate in both high-altitude and desert areas. The Prachand attack helicopter is the only one in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet), making it perfect for use in high-altitude regions like Eastern Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.It can also damage the enemy’s air defence activities and fire a variety of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles. Additionally, it will be outfitted with more modern Dhruvastra air-to-ground missiles, which can destroy enemy hardened bunkers in both high altitude and other terrain. A sizable number of these helicopters are also being purchased by the IAF in order to keep the equipment prepared for export requirements and sales to friendly foreign nations.To meet all military requirements, more than 300 of these helicopters are anticipated to be in service. Additionally, it is anticipated that these helicopters will quickly find purchasers on the export markets. (Agencies)
