The Indian Army is advancing its aviation modernisation plans with the proposed procurement of 126 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) from the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
This significant acquisition, which has now entered the final stage of cost negotiations, is set to replace the military's decades-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, marking a major boost for the Army Aviation Corps' capabilities in high-altitude environments.
The HAL LUH is a new-generation, single-engine rotorcraft in the 3-tonne category, indigenously designed by HAL's Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre.
It has been specifically developed to operate in the challenging conditions of the Himalayas.
The helicopter boasts a service ceiling of 6,500 metres (approximately 21,300 feet), a top speed of 235 km/h, and a range of 350 km.
These specifications make it ideal for critical missions such as reconnaissance, transport, and casualty evacuation in remote and high-altitude areas like Eastern Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.
Its modern glass cockpit, advanced rotor technology, and a powerful Shakti-1U engine, co-developed with Safran of France, ensure superior performance and agility.
This procurement addresses the urgent need to phase out the Indian Armed Forces' aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
The Army currently operates around 190 of these aircraft, which are based on French designs from the 1960s. Many have been in service for over 30 years, leading to growing concerns over flight safety and frequent, costly maintenance.
The induction of the modern LUH is critical for enhancing operational readiness and ensuring the safety of personnel.
The project is now moving forward after overcoming earlier developmental hurdles.
The programme had faced delays related to the flight control system and autopilot software supplied by a foreign vendor. However, HAL has confirmed that these issues have been resolved, with the necessary software now delivered and integrated into the helicopters.
An initial batch of six LUH units has already been produced, and the programme has also benefited from technical consultations with an international laboratory in the Netherlands to ensure the platform meets stringent operational standards.
The acquisition of 126 helicopters for the Army is part of a larger planned procurement of 225 LUHs for the Indian Armed Forces. This move represents a substantial investment in indigenous defence manufacturing under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
The induction of these versatile helicopters is expected to provide a significant strategic advantage, strengthening the Army’s logistical and surveillance capabilities along the crucial Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
