India is set to significantly enhance its high-altitude combat capabilities with a major order for 156 domestically-produced Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) in the 2025-26 financial year.
This decision, confirmed by the Standing Committee on Defence in a report presented to Parliament, represents a substantial step in India's ongoing military modernization and its commitment to indigenous defence production.
The same period will also see the procurement of Light Utility Helicopters (LUH), further bolstering the country's rotary-wing fleet.
The procurement of 156 Prachand helicopters, scheduled for the fiscal year spanning April 2025 to March 2026, follows extensive development and rigorous testing. The Prachand has demonstrated its operational effectiveness in challenging environments, including deployments in Ladakh during the 2020 border standoff with China.
The Defence Committee's report emphasized the helicopter's crucial role in improving the Indian Army and Air Force's ability to carry out quick and accurate strikes in contested areas. The Prachand is specifically designed for high-altitude operations, with features such as a two-engine configuration, stealth design and armor protection.
The substantial order, expected to be worth a significant amount, will provide a major boost to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace and defence company that manufactures the Prachand. HAL has previously delivered a small number of these helicopters under an earlier contract.
The large-scale acquisition of 156 units, likely to be divided between the Army and Air Force, demonstrates the armed forces' trust in the platform and supports the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative, which promotes domestic manufacturing.
Alongside the LCH order, the committee's report also indicates plans to acquire Light Utility Helicopters (LUH), also developed by HAL, during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The LUH is a single-engine helicopter designed for multiple roles, intended to replace the aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters currently used by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Capable of operating at altitudes up to 6,500 meters (approximately 21,325 feet) and carrying payloads suitable for troop transport, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation, the LUH is essential for operations in high-altitude and remote regions. According to HAL, the LUH can carry a payload of over 500kg to the challenging helipads at Siachen Glacier.
The combined acquisition of 156 Prachand LCHs and a number of LUHs (the exact number yet to be stated) has considerable implications for India's defence capabilities.
From a strategic perspective, it improves the armed forces' ability to operate effectively in high-altitude areas, a key concern given the ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
The Prachand's combat strength, combined with the LUH's versatility, provides a combined advantage, allowing for rapid deployment and continued operations in difficult terrains.
From an economic standpoint, these orders are highly beneficial for HAL and its associated domestic suppliers. The manufacturing of these helicopters will create numerous jobs, support smaller businesses within the defence industry, and strengthen India's efforts towards self-sufficiency in military equipment.
These acquisitions also align with the government's planned capital expenditure on defence, making the 2025-26 financial year a significant one for domestic procurement.
