India’s Light Combat Helicopter has been officially named Prachand, which means ‘fierce’

The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri handed over the first LCH Prachand to the IAF today at AF Stn Jodhpur. He also undertook a sortie on the Prachand, which is translated as...

SSBCrackExams
October 4, 2022
2,846
1

The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri handed over the first LCH Prachand to the IAF today at AF Stn Jodhpur. He also undertook a sortie on the Prachand, which is translated as ‘Fierce’. The aircraft’s name is a testimony to its lethality & versatility.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today presided over the formal induction of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), designed and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), into the Indian Air Force (IAF), giving Aatmanirbharatha in Defense a significant boost. Raksha Mantri referred to LCH as “Prachanda” and stated that its introduction coincides with Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav during Amrit Kal, a sign that the IAF will one day be the most powerful force in the world and that the country will be totally AtmaNirbhar in terms of its defence production needs. Soon after the LCH was incorporated into the IAF, Raksha Mantri also completed a mission on board.

Also Read: All About IAF First Light Combat Helicopter Squadron

General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, Air Marshal Vikram Singh, the Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL Shri C.B. Ananthakrishnan, senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Air Force (IAF), and local dignitaries were present.

In a Tweet PM Modi Said: The induction of LCH ‘Prachanda’ is a special moment for the collective resolve of 130 crore Indians to make our nation strong and self-reliant in the defence sector. Congratulations to every Indian!

The induction of LCH ‘Prachanda’ is a special moment for the collective resolve of 130 crore Indians to make our nation strong and self-reliant in the defence sector. Congratulations to every Indian! https://t.co/KEGe7aXPmL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2022

In his speech, Shri Rajnath Singh commended the IAF’s contribution to defending the nation against both internal and external threats since independence. According to him, the introduction of the LCH, with its incredible power and versatility, not only improves the IAF’s combat prowess but also marks a significant step toward the country’s goal of becoming self-sufficient in the production of defences, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Examples like the Marut, Light Combat Aircraft, Akash missile system, Advanced Light Helicopter, and Light Combat Helicopter show the trust and support the IAF has for domestic design and development. “The introduction of LCH underlines the fact that the Indian Air Force (IAF) equally trusts indigenous equipment, just as the nation does,” he continued.

In pics: The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri handed over the first LCH Prachand to the IAF today at AF Stn Jodhpur.

After independence, according to Raksha Mantri, the development of domestic attack helicopters did not receive the proper priority. However, since the Kargil War in 1999, the necessity for LCH has increased, and the LCH that exists now is the culmination of 20 years of R&D and local initiatives in that regard. Shri Rajnath Singh continued, saying that LCH was powered not only by its rotors, engines, and blades but also by the penance, perseverance, dedication, and patriotism of several scientists, engineers, and other people.

Raksha Mantri pointed out that the LCH satisfies current combat requirements and essential quality standards under a variety of operational circumstances. It is capable of speedy delivery to the field, carrying a range of ammo, and self-defense. According to him, the LCH is the best platform for both our Army and Air Force since this adaptable helicopter precisely fits the requirements of our armed services in a variety of terrains.

Also recently, the Indian Army formally inducted the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) on Thursday, 29th September 2022. The first LCH was formally received by Director General Army Aviation Lt Gen A. K. Suri from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.

According to Raksha Mantri, recent battles in the Ukraine and elsewhere have demonstrated that large armament systems and platforms, which hinder combat mobility, can occasionally be exposed and turn into tempting targets for the adversary. As a result, it is vital to work towards the development of tools and platforms that can be moved around easily, are more adaptable, and still satisfy the needs of the armed forces. Raksha Mantri noted that in this situation, LCH has been created with an unheard-of balance of all these aspects, and HAL deserves praise for it.

The introduction of LCH, according to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, enhances the IAF’s combat power in a special way. The LCH’s versatility and offensive capabilities are on par with or better than those of the majority of attack helicopters in use worldwide. In order to secure the earliest possible operationalization of the unit, the employees in the 143-helicopter unit that will man the LCH were chosen based on their professional expertise, he continued.

The LCH, created by HAL, is the company’s first homegrown Multi-Role Combat Helicopter. It is capable of fierce ground and aerial attacks. Inducted in the IAF’s newly created No. 143 Helicopter Unit, it is a testament to India’s growing prowess in homegrown design, development, and production as well as an important step toward achieving “Atmanirbharta” in the field of defence. The helicopter has strong armour protection, contemporary stealth abilities, and a powerful capacity for night attacks. The LCH is ideally adapted for the modern battlefield with to its powerful air to air missiles, close-combat guns, and superior navigation system. The helicopter is a powerful addition to the IAF’s arsenal because it can operate from high-altitude terrain and execute precision strikes at high-altitude targets.

IAF LCH New name: Prachand, Unit: 143 Helicopter Unit AF Base: Jodhpur

indias light combat helicopter has been officially named prachand 143 helicopter unit

To crack the SSB Interview and join the Indian Armed Forces as an Officer, You can join our SSB interview live classes batch and we recommend you to Enroll SSB INTERVIEW ONLINE COURSE. Trusted by thousands of defence aspirants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

India’s Light Combat Helicopter has been officially named?

The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri handed over the first LCH Prachand to the IAF today at AF Stn Jodhpur. He also undertook a sortie on the Prachand, which is translated as ‘Fierce’. The aircraft’s name is a testimony to its lethality & versatility.

What does LCH stand for?

LCH Stands for Light Combat Helicopter

What Is Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)?

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is an Indian multi-role attack helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

What are the special features of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)?

This helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, maneuverability, extended range, high altitude performance, and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform the roles of Combat Search and Rescue, Destruction of Enemy Air Defence, and Counter Insurgency operations.

The IAF First LCH Squadron was formally inducted at?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally inducted the indigenous light combat helicopter (LCH) at the Jodhpur air force station on October 3.

What are the other Attack Helicopters Operated By IAF?

The IAF operates the older Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack helicopters, of which one squadron has been phased out following the induction of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

How many LCHs did IAF have inducted?

Of the initial 15 limited series production helicopters approved, 10 are for the IAF and 5 for the army. The chopper can land and take off from an altitude of 5,000 metre with weapons and fuel. HAL expects follow-on orders as IAF, and the army are projected to have a combined requirement of 160 LCHs.