India's Prachand Helicopter Development Progresses, Forces Seek Upgrades and Expansion

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving forward with the domestically produced HAL Prachand attack helicopter, but has requested improvements to the platform before a major deployment, a senior IAF official confirmed.

Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated that 15 early production Prachand helicopters are being evaluated by the IAF and Indian Army, with some "minor issues" identified. HAL, the helicopter's manufacturer, is working to address these concerns. Additionally, the IAF and Army want further upgrades to the Prachand's combat abilities.

Despite the needed enhancements, India's armed forces are enthusiastic enough about the Prachand's performance that they have requested 156 additional helicopters from the Ministry of Defence. These helicopters are crucial for strengthening India's border defense capabilities against China, particularly in high-altitude zones.

The requested upgrades focus on expanding the Prachand's weapons options, making it more adaptable to different combat situations. The IAF and Indian Army's desire for a larger, improved Prachand fleet demonstrates their trust in the helicopter's value to India's defense, especially in border regions.

 

[Hari Sud]

Indian Army wants everything local made with enhancements. They never question the foreign stuff. They accept the foreign stuff or pay heavily for enhancements. That is how Indian Army operates.

 

[bonito]

We never used combat helis. Why the need for this suddenly ?

 

[Anant]

Hold on. Is this "additional 156 Prachands" the original planned order of 156 that was green-lit by the DAC in November, or are they planning to get another 156? In either case, it's a good thing, but I'd recommend waiting for ant additional orders over the 156 until stuff like the ATGM integration is completed.

 

[Borodine]

Hold on. Is this "additional 156 Prachands" the original planned order of 156 that was green-lit by the DAC in November, or are they planning to get another 156? In either case, it's a good thing, but I'd recommend waiting for ant additional orders over the 156 until stuff like the ATGM integration is completed.

I think its the original order that is being referred to here. I also dont understand why atgm integration is taking so long.

 

[Bharat007]

We never used combat helis. Why the need for this suddenly ?

Don't talk nonsense as if you are speaking on behalf of Indian enemies.

 

[Provocateur Extraordinaire]

Indian Army wants everything local made with enhancements. They never question the foreign stuff. They accept the foreign stuff or pay heavily for enhancements. That is how Indian Army operates.

Airforce does it too. Navy is the only exception here.

 

[Instant Karma]

Indian Army wants everything local made with enhancements. They never question the foreign stuff. They accept the foreign stuff or pay heavily for enhancements. That is how Indian Army operates.

Apache is the best example of a costly scrap helicopters purchased by Army which are suffering regularly accidents.

 

[Akshat]

Indian Army wants everything local made with enhancements. They never question the foreign stuff. They accept the foreign stuff or pay heavily for enhancements. That is how Indian Army operates.

They accepted Tejas without even simple features like hot refueling. They doubled the price of Tejas because HAL failed on its promises. But no. Blame the armed forces.

 

[Akshat]

I think its the original order that is being referred to here. I also dont understand why atgm integration is taking so long.

Because we are talking about HAL and DRDO here.

 

[Ut]

Their enhancements will make aircraft heavier then IAF will complain its not performing in higher altitudes which it is made for.

 

[Akshat]

We never used combat helis. Why the need for this suddenly ?

Earlier we had the Marathi doctrine. That was more defensive in nature and its result was seen after the attack on Parliament. Since then we started with the cold start doctrine. We have already inducted Rudra in significant numbers. Apache as well. And now Prachand. So it’s not sudden but has been going on for well over a decade.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

Their enhancements will make aircraft heavier then IAF will complain its not performing in higher altitudes which it is made for.

That means what IAF is telling HAL is improve the design, mechanical components, and airframe with better materials and install a more powerful engine....that is the way to interpret it....and that requires real work unlike screw driver assembly that HAL excels and hence it pushes back everytime IAF comes with a requirement.

Imagine Indian Railways telling our PM that no sir we cannot make a faster train than Shatabdi because we dont have more powerful locomotives.........he would have r@mmd the babus from all angles until they deliver Vande Bharat....we need something similar done to DPSUs

 

[Sandeep]

That means what IAF is telling HAL is improve the design, mechanical components, and airframe with better materials and install a more powerful engine....that is the way to interpret it....and that requires real work unlike screw driver assembly that HAL excels and hence it pushes back everytime IAF comes with a requirement.

Imagine Indian Railways telling our PM that no sir we cannot make a faster train than Shatabdi because we dont have more powerful locomotives.........he would have r@mmd the babus from all angles until they deliver Vande Bharat....we need something similar done to DPSUs

The military won't be looking at major changes as you've suggested like installing a more powerful engine or improving the air frame as this will add on weight and it wouldn't be ideal in high altitude areas where they need them to be light and nimble. Most of the minor changes will be small like improving the software, combat suite etc.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

We never used combat helis. Why the need for this suddenly ?

We were mistakes earlier. Why we need to correct it suddenly ?

 

[Anurag]

Because we are talking about HAL and DRDO here.

That's why hal getting massive orders... Wow what a disappointment!!

 

[Sandeep]

India is moving in the right direction. The large order will continuously see upgrades and improvements in the technology and keep its fighting capabilities up to date. But India needs to increase the indigenous technology and content with each squadron as the foreign content is a bit too high at the start. We also need them to replace the foreign expensive critical technology like the jointly developed engine, turret main gun or rocket pods. We also need to develop our own mini rockets and install our own indigenous ATGM which has passed all the tests and trials as we need to cut the expensive foreign ammunition as well and the private sector could easily develop an indigenous version.

 

[Anurag]

Everyone here likes it. Good thing
Few minor enchantment is every force needs and that too in additional orders and that will clear the way for the production of LCH hopefully it will become a mainstay in the armed forces. High expectations that these beauties flying high in the sky soon.

 

[Akshat]

That's why hal getting massive orders... Wow what a disappointment!!

That’s why HAL is slowly being sold off. 25% already sold off since 2018, with more share sales on proposal.

 

[bonito]

Earlier we had the Marathi doctrine. That was more defensive in nature and its result was seen after the attack on Parliament. Since then we started with the cold start doctrine. We have already inducted Rudra in significant numbers. Apache as well. And now Prachand. So it’s not sudden but has been going on for well over a decade.

Sorry sudden is incorrect but still gradually ? Except for navy to fight pirates, we don't use it. Rudra was already doing it. are we fighting moist using combat heli ? What type of situation one would need combat helis ? We are not fighting islamic fundamentals in islamic soil . Rudra already has overlapping role of LUH being more used as logistical and rescue mission.