Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is all set to deliver the first batch of three Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) as part of the 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters approved for the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) after the completion of acceptance tests.
The LCH has been designed and developed by the HAL and is being rated as the world’s lightest attack helicopter at 5.5 tonnes and designed and developed to meet the specific and unique requirements of the Indian armed forces to operate at heights of 12,000 feet.
“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 three LSP LCH for the IAF. Same will be subjected to customer acceptance and training shortly,” a HAL source told The Hindu.
As of now, four LCH has been produced for Army and two for the Air Force and the remaining six LCH will be produced next year as part of the IAF requirement for 65 LCH and the Army for 114 helicopters.
In September 2020, during the height of the standoff, IAF deployed two LCH manufactured by HAL in Ladakh as the helicopters conducted armed sorties in Leh and forward areas of Ladakh.
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