NEW DELHI, Nov 19: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday handed over indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to the Indian Air Force in Jhansi. The LCHs incorporate advanced technologies and stealth features for effective combat roles.
The LCH has been designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 metres with considerable load of weapons and fuel.
Modi also handed over drones developed by the Indian startups to the Indian Army, and advanced electronic warfare suites for destroyers, aircraft carriers and frigates to the Indian Navy.
On the final day of ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv’ in Jhansi, celebrating the 75th year of India’s independence, Modi also laid the foundation stone of a plant under Bharat Dynamics, which will be established for Rs 400 crore to make propulsion system for anti-tank guided missiles in Jhansi.
The LCH is a twin-engine, 5.8-ton class helicopter featuring narrow fuselage and tandem configuration for pilot and co-pilot/Weapon System Operator (WSO). It incorporates number of stealth features such as reduced radar and infra-red signatures and crashworthy landing gear for better survivability.
Truly a ‘Make in India’ product built with private industry participation, the LCH is designed to carry out roles like destruction of enemy air defence, counter insurgency, search and rescue, antitank, counter surface force operations etc.
Production of LCH is envisaged through participation of public sector and private sector partners. More than 250 vendors are involved in manufacturing of components, assemblies, tools and test equipment and preparation of technical documentations, apart from 70 vendors involved in indigenisation of various items, official sources said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
