The Cabinet Committee on Security has greenlit a $7.3bn order for 156 light combat helicopters for the army and air force

India has greenlit the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) along with training and other associated equipment worth over 620 billion rupees ($7.3 billion). The country's biggest-ever defense deal was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on Friday and later signed by the Ministry of Defence, according to an official statement.

The helicopters will be supplied by the state-run defense manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Indian Army will receive 90 helicopters, while 66 will be delivered to the country's air force (IAF).

The LCH Prachand is reportedly the only attack helicopter in the world capable of taking off and landing at an altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). This feature makes it well-suited for operations in the sensitive areas bordering Pakistan and China, including regions such as the Siachen glacier and mountainous Eastern Ladakh.

Additionally, the Prachand can fire various air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, enabling it to effectively neutralize enemy air defense systems. The helicopters are equipped to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. They can also support network-centric warfare with advanced communications and data-sharing systems.

The formal induction of the light combat helicopter into the air force took place in October 2022. Before this new deal, the government had approved the production of 15 LCHs. Of those, 10 were for the IAF and 5 were for the army.

The LCH project was started after the Kargil conflict in 1999, which exposed the need for a combat helicopter capable of operating at extreme altitudes. HAL developed the helicopter to meet this requirement, and the latest deal would be the biggest order for the company far. The warbirds would be built at their plants in Bengaluru and Tumkur in Karnataka.

The new order is seen as a major boost for domestic defense manufacturing under the "Make in India" initiative promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

India's Defense Acquisition Council has earlier this month granted initial approval for arms andequipment purchases exceeding 540 billion rupees($6.26 billion), aimed at strengthening the country's military capabilities. The proposed acquisitions include upgraded engines for the Indian Army's Russian-made T-90 battle tanks, additional anti-submarine torpedoes for the Navy, and airborne early warning and control systems for the Air Force. India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has also recently approved a $823 million deal to buy over 300 domestically-developed 155mm howitzers, or Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).

(RT.com)