In an exciting development for India’s defence capabilities, the Indian Army is poised to induct its first lot of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from February 2024. These state-of-the-art helicopters will be deployed in the country’s desert sector, bolstering the nation’s defence preparedness.
Simultaneously, a more substantial contract for 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), with 90 designated for the Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force, and an estimated cost of Rs. 45,000 crore, is awaiting approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
The Army Aviation, primarily equipped with utility helicopters until now, introduced its first dedicated attack helicopter with the LCH. The inaugural squadron, 351 Army Aviation, was relocated to Missamari, Assam, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern sector, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence preparedness.
The procurement of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters began with the Cabinet Committee’s sanction for the purchase of 39 units from the United States. Following this, the Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted 22 Apaches as part of a deal signed in September 2015. Subsequently, the decision was made to allocate any further Apache acquisitions to the Army. In line with this decision, India inked a deal for six additional Apaches for the Army, with a price tag of approximately $800 million in February 2020. Delays in deliveries were experienced due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Army had been advocating for 11 more Apaches, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) recently ordered a study to assess the number of armoured helicopters required. The study is expected to commence by the end of November or early December. Thus, the final decision on additional Apaches will be made after the study’s completion. Currently, the Army operates 75 Rudra helicopters, the armed version of the Advanced Light Helicopter.
In the context of the Indian Air Force’s modernisation efforts and its commitment to indigenous defence solutions, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari revealed that 10 LCH helicopters were inducted last year into the 143 Helicopter Unit ‘Dhanush.’ Plans are in place to sign a contract in the coming year for a total of 156 LCH, with 66 of them earmarked for the IAF.
The LCH, a twin-engine marvel designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), falls within the 5-8 tonne class of dedicated combat helicopters. Conceived in the aftermath of the 1999 Kargil conflict, it addresses the need for a specialised platform capable of operating at high altitudes.
It is the world’s only attack helicopter capable of landing and taking off at altitudes of 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) while carrying a significant payload of weapons and fuel, significantly enhancing the firepower of both the IAF and the Army in high-altitude regions. The LCH boasts a combat radius of 500 kilometers and can reach a service ceiling of 21,000 feet, making it ideally suited for high-altitude areas such as the Siachen glacier.
Armed with a 20mm nose gun, 70mm rockets, the anti-tank guided missile ‘Dhruvastra,’ and the air-to-air missile ‘Mistral-2’, with a maximum interception range of 6.5 kilometers, the LCH is a formidable addition to India’s defence arsenal. This move reflects the nation’s commitment to modernising its defence infrastructure and bolstering its indigenous capabilities, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in defence technology.