Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a key player in India’s defence sector, has received a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). This substantial acquisition, estimated to cost ₹45,000 crore, marks a significant step towards bolstering India’s aerial combat capabilities.
In an official communication to the stock exchanges on Monday, HAL stated, “In terms of Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, we would like to inform that RFP has been issued by the Ministry of Defence for procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (90 nos. for Indian Army and 66 nos. for Indian Air Force).”
The issuance of the RFP sets in motion a detailed process where HAL will respond with a price quote to the Ministry of Defence. Subsequent cost negotiations will ensue to finalize the deal, which will then require approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before any contract can be signed.
This procurement follows a previous contract where the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) ordered 15 LCHs from HAL’s limited series production, sanctioned by the CCS in March 2020. This earlier deal, valued at ₹3,887 crore with additional infrastructure sanctions worth ₹377 crore, included 10 helicopters for the IAF and five for the Army.
The Defence Acquisition Council had greenlit the procurement of 156 LCHs last November, reinforcing the strategic importance of these helicopters in India’s defence arsenal. Meanwhile, the Army is preparing to induct its first lot of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, with six units set to be deployed in the desert sector starting from May.
Indigenous Attack Helicopter
The twin-engine Light Combat Helicopter, designed and developed by HAL, belongs to the 5-8 tonne class of dedicated combat helicopters. It was conceptualized post the 1999 Kargil conflict, addressing the need for a specialized platform capable of high-altitude operations. Remarkably, it is the only attack helicopter globally that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) while carrying a substantial load of weapons and fuel.
The LCH enhances the firepower of both the IAF and the Army, particularly in high-altitude regions like the Siachen Glacier. It boasts a combat radius of 500 km and can reach a service ceiling of 21,000 feet, making it ideal for operations in challenging terrains.
Equipped with a 20mm nose gun, 70 mm rockets, anti-tank guided missiles ‘Dhruvastra’, and air-to-air missiles ‘Mistral-2’ from MBDA with a maximum interception range of 6.5 km, the LCH is a formidable asset in India’s defence lineup.
The receipt of the RFP for 156 LCHs underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the strategic importance of indigenous platforms in enhancing national security.
