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Context:
India’s Defence Ministry Signs ₹62,700 Crore Deal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters
Key Highlights
- Contract Signed with HAL: The Defence Ministry signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for the procurement of 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) and associated training equipment.
- Total Cost: Over ₹62,700 crore (excluding taxes).
- Helicopter Allocation:
- 90 LCHs for the Indian Army.
- 66 LCHs for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Approval & Delivery Timeline:
- Final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before signing.
- Delivery begins in the third year and continues over five years.
Indigenous Capabilities & Economic Impact
- The LCH is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, capable of operating above 5,000 metres.
- 65% indigenous content expected during execution.
- Over 250 domestic companies, mainly MSMEs, involved in production.
- Project to generate 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Additional Defence Contracts & Future Deals
- Wet Leasing of Flight Refueller Aircraft (FRA):
- Contract signed with Metrea Management for one KC-135 refueller aircraft.
- Aircraft to be delivered within six months for air-to-air refuelling training of IAF and Navy pilots.
- Upcoming LCA-Mk1A Order:
- A separate order for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A is expected in the coming months.
Existing LCH Deployments
- 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) models already inducted at ₹4,264 crore.
- Indian Air Force:
- Inducted LCH in October 2022 into 143 Helicopter Unit ‘Dhanush’ at Jodhpur Air Force Station.
- Indian Army:
- First LCH squadron raised on June 1, 2022, in Bengaluru, later moved to Misamari, Assam.
This procurement enhances India’s defence capabilities, particularly for high-altitude combat operations. The emphasis on indigenous production aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, strengthening domestic aerospace industries while ensuring self-reliance in military aviation.
