Analysis How IAF's LCH Prachand Can Become A Long-Range, Precision-Strike Platform with Israel's 300km 'Ice Breaker' Missile

India's indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand' could soon be transformed into a long-range precision strike platform, capable of hitting targets from a safe distance of up to 300 kilometres.

The potential upgrade comes as a result of an offer from Israeli firm RAFAEL Advanced Defence Systems, which has confirmed that its advanced 'Ice Breaker' missile can be equipped on the Indian attack helicopter.

The Ice Breaker is a 5th-generation autonomous missile system designed to strike high-value targets on both land and sea.

According to officials from RAFAEL, the missile, which has already been offered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its fighter jets, is also compatible with the Prachand helicopter.

This development could significantly enhance the offensive power of the domestically-produced helicopter, which is built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and designed for high-altitude warfare.

A feasibility study has already confirmed that the integration is technically possible.

The LCH Prachand has a maximum weapon payload of approximately 920 kg. The Ice Breaker missile weighs around 400 kg, meaning the helicopter could potentially carry one or two of these powerful weapons without a major impact on its performance.

This would provide the helicopter with a "standoff" capability, allowing it to fire at enemy targets from well beyond visual range and outside the reach of most short-range air defence systems.

This capability is particularly relevant for India's strategic needs along contested border areas like the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

The missile's advanced guidance system, which uses a combination of electro-optics, artificial intelligence, and GPS, ensures extreme accuracy even in environments where satellite signals are jammed.

Its ability to perform complex flight patterns and attack from multiple directions makes it effective against both stationary infrastructure, like bunkers, and moving targets, such as warships.

While the offer presents a significant opportunity, a formal decision to procure the missile system is yet to be made by India's defence establishment.

The Ice Breaker has also been offered to the Indian Navy for its fleet of MiG-29K and Rafale M fighter jets. If both the IAF and the Navy were to adopt the missile, it would promote interoperability, allowing for shared logistics, training, and a more unified weapons inventory across services.

The potential adoption of the Ice Breaker missile represents a major step in bolstering the firepower of India's indigenous military platforms.

If approved, the integration would turn the LCH Prachand into a formidable force multiplier, effectively bridging the gap between the traditional roles of helicopters and the deep-strike capabilities of fighter jets.

 

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[Mc Addy]

All this is good, but what it's meant is for higher-altitude action. Why don't we make laser-guided precision shells with rocket motors, as it's already in use worldwide, and put a laser designator on Prachand LCH so it's a sniper in mountains, where it can designate a target via laser? One precision shell with a top attack can finish the matter. The gun carriage can then really shoot and scoot fast, avoiding counter-battery fire and drones. The same can happen to a mechanized formation on the move, as when the anti-aircraft cover is taken out, the entire formation becomes exposed to other means via air easily. We need high-tech, mass-produced laser-homing accessories for artillery, good optics, and lasers on the LCH.

 

[Mc Addy]

Make a smaller BrahMos-NG for choppers too, as it's possible, so coastal defence can be made robust, especially around islands; it's the shock, more than the damage at sea, that will work.

 

[sanket]

Oh, DRDO should develop an indigenously similar class missile, it has said it can develop any missile within two years given the time.

Thought it would be handy for the Naval Variant fighter jet; will Dassault allow it to integrate on the Rafale-M as this is a third-party weapon? Earlier, MBDA France denied Meteor integration on the Tejas MK1A, citing the ELTA-2052 as being an Israeli AESA Radar.

This is what French/Dassault is busy playing games with, while on the MiG-29, it will be seamless integration. That's the difference in buying a French vs. a Russian platform.

First, there's Dassault's variety in the weapon package, and second, they deny integration; another prime example is SPICE Bomb integration on the Rafale, again, a deal was signed in 2016, yet SPICE hasn't been integrated.

 

[Flanker]

We should acquire both the Ice Breaker and Sky Sting missiles in large numbers.

 

[Nobody In here]

Helicopters are too slow against modern air defence systems, and 400 kg missiles are simply too heavy and should be carried only by fighter jets. For choppers, the maximum should be 200 kg.

 

[Kira]

A good enough addition to the LCH, which is already very under-armed.

 

[Sandeep]

India should definitely not buy or manufacture it under a license at all. We won’t get 100% of the technology or manufacture 100% of it in India and the most crucial technology, parts, components will only be given to us directly. Without that crucial part or technology the missile won’t work or fire at all which makes us heavily reliant on Israel for the weapons.

We are currently developing the Rudram MK1-3 series of air to surface missile which has a range of 300km or more. This will be a 100% indigenously designed, developed and manufactured in India from local raw materials.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

LCH Prachand, this was developed particularly as a substitute or equivalant to Apachi from US, correct me if wrong. LCH Prachand is a damn good machine and this serves military quiet well. This is a flat rated machine and not like Apachi which falters in different weatheric conditions. If we are to become Atmanirbhar we must support our systems. No foreign platform was built best in its first attempt they have also come across many developments. Prachand can be made a force multiplier if we encourage the machine and invest in its further development. Tejas is classic example which is turning out to be a very goof platform over refinements in it.​