Context: Recently, the Indian Air Force formally inducted the indigenously developed multi-role Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Prachanda which is suitable for operating in high-altitude battlefields.

About Prachanda

• The indigenous LCH designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Jodhpur Air Force Station. 

• The induction of LCH is yet another step towards the realisation of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The helicopter has been named “Prachanda” which means fierce.

• The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat helicopter inducted into the IAF’s newly raised No. 143 Helicopter unit.

Significance

• Its multi-role features and all weather potentials is a formidable addition to IAF’s capabilities.

• A major boost towards self-reliance in defense production and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Features

• The helicopter is capable of offensive operations in high-altitude areas like Siachen Glacier and eastern Ladakh.

• The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world which can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 meters with a considerable load of weapons and fuel.

• Designed as a twin-engine, it has the maximum take-off weight of 5.8 tonnes, maximum speed of 268 kilometers per hour, range of 550 kilometers.

• It has an endurance of over three hours and service ceiling — the maximum density altitude to which it can fly — of 6.5 kilometres.

Need for the Light Combat Helicopter

• It was during the 1999 Kargil war that the need was felt for a homegrown lightweight assault helicopter that could hold precision strikes in all Indian battlefield scenarios.

• i.e., a helicopter that could operate in very hot deserts and also in very cold high altitudes, in counter-insurgency scenarios to full-scale battle conditions.

• Although India was operating many helicopters of foreign origin, need was felt for a more agile, multi-role dedicated attack helicopter.

• As a result, the government sanctioned the LCH project in October 2006, and HAL was tasked to develop it.

• The LCH has the capabilities of combat roles such as destruction of enemy air defence, counter insurgency warfare, combat search and rescue, anti-tank, and counter surface force operations.