- Yes
- No
History
Since its independence from United Kingdom in 1947, India has been involved multiple wars with Pakistan and China in 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999. In none of the wars before the 1999 Kargil War the attack helicopters played any major role with the Indian armed force. Only with the introduction of Mi 24/35 in Indian Air Force in 1980s did India get a significant number of attack helicopters in its inventory which were ultimately used by Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990 to end the Sri Lankan civil war.
During the Kargil War in 1999, Indian Armed Forces were unable to use the attack helicopters in its inventory to any significant effect due to technical limitations faced by the Mi 24/35 helicopters which could not fly to the heights of Kargil occupied by Pakistani Forces. Other than the Mi 24/35, Mi 8 were also used to attack the heights of Kargil but were not as maneuverable due to which one of the Mi 8 fell prey to a Stinger missile resulting in its loss with 4 personnels on board. After this loss, all helicopters were restricted from going to frontlines and supported in casualty evacuation from safe distance.
Due to the experience of Kargil, the Indian Armed Forces felt an immediate need of an attack helicopter that would be capable of assaulting enemy positions in the highest battlefields that are in the Himalayas bordering both Pakistan and China.
Introduction
Post Kargil War, Indian Armed Forces started looking for a foreign dedicated helicopter capable of fighting in the high mountains but was unsuccessful and hence the program was cancelled which gave birth to the Light Combat Helicopter program from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The first confirmation of this program came from HAL in 2006 when it was said that the development of the attack helicopter has been started. The first flight for the helicopter was achieved on 29 March 2010 after which there were 4 Technology Demonstrators were built by HAL.
The testing for LCH was protracted and went through rigorous testing procedure which covered the hot summers of That Desert as well as the chilly winter nights of Himalayas. All the testing for this helicopter was completed in January 2019 when it was declared by HAL that it has completed testing and is available for induction. Subsequently it was ready for production in February 2020 post which the helicopters started production as Limited Series Production version of the aircraft.
During the India China border standoff, HAL Prachand was deployed in eastern Ladakh for performing armed patrol sorties with its Technology Demonstrator aircrafts which showed the confidence of the forces in the quality of aircraft and its ability to perform effectively in the mountainous terrain.
Design
The HAL Prachand has been designed as a multi role attack helicopter for Indian Armed Forces to be operated in multiple battlefield environments with very high flight profile and multiple attack profiles. The complete design and development of this helicopter has been done by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre of HAL.
The helicopter is equipped with a tandem seating configuration for the pilot and co-pilot/gunner. Like most of the attack helicopters, it also has a narrow fuselage with stealth profiling, armour protection and day and night combat capability. It also has an Infrared Suppressor installed on its engine exhaust to reduce its thermal profile.
From its inception the LCH program was decided to be based on the ALH program of HAL from 1990s out of which HAL Dhruv was born. Like the HAL Dhruv, the LCH is a twin engine helicopter that shares the same engine which is Shakti-1H1. The engine has been co-developed through a joint development between HAL and Safran and is based on the Safran Ardiden Turboshaft engines that generate 1000-1500 kW of energy.
Armament
Guns: 1 x 20mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret
Rockets: 4 x 12 FZ275 LGR
Missiles: 4 x 2 Mistral Air to Air Missiles, 4 x 4 Dhruvastra Air to Ground Missiles (Planned)
Bombs: 2 x HSLD-250 (planned)
Self Defence: Missile Approach Warning System, SAAB radar and laser warning system, Chaff and Flare dispensers
Sensor: Elbit CoMPASS optoelectronic suite
Technical Specification:
Crew: 2
Length: 15.8m
Wingspan: 4.60m
Height: 4.70m
Empty Weight: 2,250 kg
Max Takeoff Weight: 5800 kg
Payload: 1750 kg
Powerplant: 2 x HAL/Turbomeca Shakti 1H1 turboshaft, 1000-1500kw (1,400- 2000 shp) each
Main Rotor Diameter: 13.2 m
Performance
Maximum Speed: 268km/hr
Never Exceed Speed: 330km/hr
Range: 550km with weapons
Endurance: 3h 10m
Service Ceiling: 6,500m (21,300ft)
Rate of Climb: 12m/s
Sources:
'Light Combat Helicopter LCH Outperformed Other Aircraft In Ladakh' - Rediff.com India News
HAL – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
