Today, Rajnath Singh will attend the ceremony at Jodhpur to mark the induction of Light Combat Helicopters into the Indian Air Force

Sudha Rani October 3, 2022Last Updated: October 3, 2022

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The formal induction of the LCH comes months after the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved in March the procurement of 15 LCH Limited Series Production (LSP) at the cost of Rs 3,887 crore along with allied infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 377 crores. (Twitter/Rajnath Singh)

Rajnath Singh, the Indian defense minister, will attend a ceremony at the Jodhpur Air Force base in Rajasthan on Monday induction of the first indigenously developed multi-role Light Combat Helicopters (LCH).

According to Singh’s tweet, “The introduction of these helicopters will enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force. I am looking forward to the event.”

I would be in Jodhpur, Rajasthan tomorrow, 3rd October, to attend the Induction ceremony of the first indigenously developed Light Comat Helicopters (LCH). The induction of these helicopters will be a big boost to the IAF’s combat prowess. Looking forward to it. pic.twitter.com/L3nTfkJx5A

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 2, 2022

As well as counter-insurgency missions and search-and-rescue missions, the Light Combat Helicopter can destroy enemy air defences.

It’s been months since the Cabinet Committee on Security, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the purchase of 15 LCH Limited Series Productions (LSPs) for Rs 3,887 crore, along with infrastructure sanctions for Rs 377 crore. A total of 15 helicopters are being procured from the LSP, 10 for the IAF, and five for the army.

Since the pilot and co-pilot gunner share a cockpit, LCH has a narrow fuselage. Besides stealth features, it’s armored, night attack capable, and has crash-worthy landing gear. Indian public sector company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) developed the 5.5-tonne LCH combat helicopter.

Defense Ministry (MoD) says the helicopter has agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance, and all-weather combat capability around the clock, all-weather, to perform Combat Search & Rescue (CSAR), Destroy Enemy Air Defense (DEAD), and Counter Insurgency (CI) missions. In addition to countering slow-moving aircraft, it can also be used for counter-insurgency operations both in the jungle and in cities. Supporting ground forces in different situations is easy with it.

The Deccan Era reported earlier that Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari would attend LCH’s induction ceremony.