Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’

In Context

• Recently, the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’, meaning fierce was formally inducted into the 143 
  • Helicopter Unit ‘Dhanush’ of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Jodhpur Air Force Station. Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’.

 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’

• About: 
  • The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft), which makes it ideal to operate in the high altitude areas of the Siachen glacier. 
  • It was officially renamed “Prachand”.
• Development:
  • It is designed and manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under project LCH.
  • It was conceptualised after the 1999 Kargil conflict.
  • The multi-role attack helicopter operates both in desert terrains and high-altitude sectors. 
• Features:
  • This twin-engine helicopter is armed with anti-tank guided missile 

             ‘Dhruvastra’ and air-to-air missile ‘Mistral-2’.

• It is multi-role and can perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), 
• Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD) and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations.

• Flight Ceiling
  • Its flight ceiling is the highest among all attack helicopters in the world.

Source:TH