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Indian Air Force inducts 'Made-in-India' Light Combat Helicopter LCH for high-altitude warfare: IN PICS

The first batch of indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) is finally inducted into the IAF fleet at a ceremony in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur today. This will provide a boost to the Indian Air Force's combat prowess. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the induction ceremony and has played a crucial role in progressing cases for buying indigenous platforms for forces. The new chopper inducted into the force is capable of aerial combat and will help the force combat slow-moving aircraft, drones, and armored columns during conflicts. LCH has been developed primarily for mountain warfare after a requirement for it was felt during the Kargil war in 1999.

Arjit Garg|

Updated:Oct 03, 2022, 12:35 PM IST

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IAF LCH Helicopter

The Indian Air Force has inducted the 'Made-in-India' Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) developed by HAL on October 3 at Jodhpur Airbase.

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IAF LCH Helicopter

The LCH is the India's first indigenously-built dedicated combat helicopter and was handed over to the IAF by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2021.

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IAF LCH Helicopter

At least two airframes have been in use with the IAF in Ladakh since last year and have been flying armed patrol sorties in the region amid reports of China’s escalating border problems.

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IAF LCH Helicopter

The chopper has undergone testing in Ladakh, where India and China are locked in a standoff, and on the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

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IAF LCH Helicopter

Equipped with Shakti engine developed by HAL with French engine-maker Safran, the 5.5-tonne helicopter has been designed to operate at an altitude of up to 20,000 feet.

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IAF LCH Helicopter

The helicopter comes armed with a cannon mounted below its nose, with a capability to fire thousand 20-millimetre bullets each minute. It carries 70-millimetre rockets on pods on either side and can also be armed with an air-to-air missile and an anti-armour missile.