LUH Acquisition Faces Delays due to Technical Challenges and Disagreements Over Specifications

The Indian Army and Air Force's ambitious plans to replace their aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters with the indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) have hit a snag.

Procurement delays, attributed to a combination of technical challenges and disagreements over specifications, are expected to push back the delivery of the initial batch of LUHs by 18-24 months.

The first six Limited Series Production (LSP) LUHs, crucial for user trials and feedback, were initially slated for delivery in August 2022. However, due to a disagreement over the inclusion of an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), requested by the Army but not included in the original specifications, the delivery is now anticipated between December 2024 and June 2025. This additional requirement necessitates further testing and certification, contributing to the delay.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer of the LUH, has also encountered minor technical issues during the development of the prototypes, which are currently being addressed. Even after the LSP deliveries, obtaining user clearance from the Army, which is leading the acquisition of 250 LUHs, could take nearly a year.

The LUHs are intended for reconnaissance and light cargo missions, and their delayed induction poses a challenge for the armed forces as they grapple with the retirement of their existing light utility helicopters.

The overall procurement plan involves acquiring 400 LUHs for both the Army and Air Force. However, the delays in the LUH program might necessitate a reevaluation of the additional procurement of 200 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters.

The Ka-226T, a twin-engine helicopter offering enhanced safety features, faces its own set of challenges due to Western sanctions on Russia and the exclusion of the French engine from the Transfer of Technology (ToT) offered to HAL.

While the LUH offers a promising indigenous solution for replacing the aging helicopter fleet, the extended wait time necessitates a careful assessment of operational requirements and potential alternatives to ensure the Indian Armed Forces maintain their operational readiness.

 

[kumar]

Army requested Change Automatic flight control , and the requirement was not given earlier.
Once LUH is ready and then you are giving this type of new requirement , its like you want to kill the program. They could have given this requirement in initial phases .
Indian army requirement planning and procurement process needs urgent overall.
PMO should directly intervene now. Otherwise we will sure face another 1962 like debacle in future.

Well said. Weapons procurement needs serious overhaul in our country. With this type of scope creep at last minute will bankrupt startups.

 

[kumar]

Our Military forces must learn to stop becoming greedy, especially when it comes to indigenous supply. I'm not sure why MOD is dancing to Armed Forces' whims.

If automatic flight control (AFC) is a new frill, then they must wait and keep the old machines going with some accidents as a bonus to all. It's only in India that these atrocious greedy demands are made, probably.
The better option to me will be start accepting the existing design of LUH while allowing the HAL to come up with AFC in a reasonable time!

Precisely. Upgrades can be done in blocks and that is how it is done world over.

 

[Pink Panther]

As usual, IA procurement is at the same level as of HAL professionalism. Insisting on new requirements addition at last minute should be banned.

Yep this is the main problem, otherwise Teja MK1A would have come out months ago, All for getting Maal from foreign OEMS.

 

[Pink Panther]

Better we ink deal with Russia to provide twin rotor tech make KA-226 T type LUH as well as make KA-226 T helicopters for Siachin operations !

This is what IA wants but MOD is forcing them to use LUH, at-least HAL should come up with a helicopter similar to KA-226 in function.

 

[Pink Panther]

Can believe as involves IA also, has old habit of adding at the last minute

No IA has been asking for KA-226, they don’t want LUH.

 

[Banjo Strings]

So, this time it was a "confluence of factors" that are causing the delays. Do these guys always have excuses? Are they ever on schedule with any project?