Indian Army wants more made-in-India Prachand LCH after war games with IAF
Within a few months of joining the Indian Air Force, the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has started participating in joint war games with the Indian Army
FP Staff January 16, 2023 13:00:11 IST
The Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on October 3 last year and have been flying extensively in the desert sector since then Image Courtesy Twitter/@rajnathsingh
Jodhpur: After being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is all set to join the Indian Army as well.
Within a few months of joining the Indian Air Force, the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has started participating in joint war games with the Indian Army.
According to a report by news agency ANI, the Indian Army is happy with the performance of the Prachand LCH.
The Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on October 3 last year and have been flying extensively in the desert sector since then.
“We are carrying out integrated exercises with Army and we are fully prepared and ready to give support to Army in case of any future conflicts,” Indian Air Force’s Dhanush squadron’s Squadron Leader Raunak Dubey was quoted as saying by ANI.
He said the Prachand LCH is being flown extensively in the desert sector and performing very well.
“We have flown this chopper quite a lot in our unit and we are highly impressed with its capabilities as it has been able to deliver on all its parameters. Its roles are to provide close air support to ground forces and take out enemy air defences,” he said.
Squadron Leader Dubey said the Prachand is one of the most potent combat helicopters in the world which possesses air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and has also got a 70 mm rocket pod as well as a 20 mm gun canon.
“It has performed very well during trials in both high altitude locations like eastern Ladakh and Siachen glacier. Its navigation system allows pilots to pick up targets and destroy them with ease,” he said.
Squadron Leader Tanmai Manan said the made-in-India LCH l gives India an edge over other attack helicopters due to its payload-carrying capacities, stealth, speed and agility.
“The helicopter is highly manoeuvrable, agile and responsive. The airframe has been designed in a way to make it crash-worthy. LCH is the only combat helicopter to have proven itself in the world’s highest battlefield. It can carry lethal weapons and destroy a plethora of targets in altitudes in excess of 6 kms,” he said.
The Commanding Officer of the squadron Group Captain Deepak Vishnoi also showcased the flying capabilities of the helicopter as the choppers took off for a sortie over the nearby locations in the desert sector.
The Jodhpur air base also has the Weapon Systems Integrated ALH Dhruv helicopter squadron whose role is to take out enemy armoured vehicles in times of conflict and they are known as ‘Tankbusters’.
https://www.firstpost.com/india/ind...da-lch-after-war-games-with-iaf-11992962.html
