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Key Points
- The Indian government ordered 156 Prachanda helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for ₹62,000 crore, with 90 for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force, signed on March 28, 2025.
- Prachanda will likely supplement existing helicopters like Mi-24/35 and HAL Rudra, especially for high-altitude combat, rather than directly replacing them.
- Development started post-Kargil War in 1999, with the first flight in 2010 and induction in 2022, highlighting its indigenous design.
- It features twin engines, a top speed of 275 km/h, and can operate at 6,500 m, ideal for Siachen and Ladakh.
- Deliveries are expected to start in 2027, completing by 2031, enhancing India’s combat readiness with multi-role capabilities.
The Procurement Contract
On March 28, 2025, the Indian government, through the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), approved a monumental deal worth ₹62,000 crore for the procurement of 156 light combat helicopters, named Prachanda, from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This order, with 90 helicopters destined for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force, underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Manufactured at HAL’s facilities in Bangalore and Tumkur, Karnataka, this deal not only boosts military capabilities but also positions HAL for significant production scale-up, with an expected delivery timeline starting in 2027 and completing by 2031.
Background: Helicopter Fleet and Prachanda’s Role
To understand Prachanda’s significance, it’s essential to review the existing helicopter fleet of the Indian armed forces. The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates a mix of helicopters, including:
- Medium Lift: Mi-8 and Mi-17 for strategic and utility roles, with Mi-17 V5 being a modern variant equipped with advanced avionics.
- Attack: Mi-24/35, primarily for assault and anti-armour roles, and HAL Rudra, an armed version of the Dhruv for light attack.
- Heavy Lift: Mi-26, capable of carrying 70 troops or 20,000 kg payload, used for heavy lift operations.
The Indian Army, through its Aviation Corps, has traditionally focused on utility helicopters like:
- Cheetah and Chetak: Light utility helicopters for reconnaissance and logistics in remote areas, often ageing and needing replacement.
- HAL Dhruv: Advanced light helicopter used for utility and some combat roles, with Rudra variant for armed support.
Prachanda, classified as a light combat helicopter, is designed to fill a critical gap, particularly for high-altitude operations. While it doesn’t directly replace any single model, it is expected to supplement and potentially phase out older attack helicopters like Mi-24/35 in high-altitude theatres, given its superior performance in such conditions. This is crucial for operations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, where high-altitude warfare is prevalent.
Development History: From Kargil to Induction
The genesis of Prachanda lies in the Kargil War of 1999, where the Indian armed forces identified a lack of suitable armed rotorcraft for high-altitude combat. This led to exploratory efforts by HAL and the military, culminating in the announcement of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) project in 2006. The development timeline includes:
- 2006: HAL launches the LCH programme, with a development cost of Rs3.76 billion ($44.97 million), approved by the government.
- 2010: First flight of the LCH prototype, showcased at the Aero India Air Show in Bangalore.
- 2015-2020: Extensive testing, including high-altitude trials at Siachen glacier and Leh, proving its capability at 15,800 feet with a 500 kg payload.
- 2022: Formal induction into the IAF on October 3, named Prachanda, and joined the No. 143 Helicopter Unit, with initial deliveries to the Army also commencing.
This journey reflects India’s push for indigenous defence solutions, with the LCH being a derivative of the Dhruv helicopter, redesigned for combat roles with stealth and high-altitude features.
Specifications and Technical Details
Prachanda’s technical specifications make it a standout in the global arena, particularly for its high-altitude performance:
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- Powerplant: Twin HAL (Turbomeca) Shakti engines, each delivering 1,430 horsepower, driving a four-blade main rotor (13.3 m diameter) and a four-blade tail rotor (2.05 m diameter).
- Dimensions: Length 15.8 m, Height 3.9 m, with a tricycle crashworthy landing gear for enhanced survivability.
- Performance: Maximum speed of 275 km/h, range of 550 km, and a service ceiling of 6,500 m (21,325 ft), with the ability to land and take off at 5,000 m with significant weapons and fuel load.
- Armament: Equipped with a 20 mm cannon, 70 mm rockets, air-to-air missiles for drone interception, and anti-tank missiles for ground targets, supported by an electro-optic pod and helmet-mounted display for precise targeting.
- Stealth and Protection: Uses radar-absorbing material, has a pressurized cabin for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) protection, and a countermeasure dispensing system against enemy radars and missiles.
These features position Prachanda as the lightest attack helicopter globally, designed specifically for Indian battlefield scenarios, including desert terrains, jungles, and high-altitude regions.
Strategic Importance for Combat Readiness
Prachanda’s induction is pivotal for India’s combat readiness, offering several strategic advantages:
- Indigenous Manufacturing: Reduces dependency on foreign suppliers, enhancing national security and economic benefits, aligning with ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India).
- High-Altitude Operations: Critical for operations in Siachen, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh, where it can conduct bunker-busting, counter-insurgency, and close air support, outperforming foreign counterparts like the Apache in these conditions.
- Multi-Role Flexibility: Capable of combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defences (DEAD), and engaging slow-moving aircraft and drones, providing versatile support to ground forces.
- Technological Edge: Incorporates stealth features, night attack capability, and crash-worthy landing gear, ensuring survivability and effectiveness in modern warfare, particularly against near-peer adversaries like China.
This helicopter’s deployment will significantly enhance India’s ability to conduct rapid, precise strikes in contested environments, especially given recent tensions along the LAC, as demonstrated during the 2020 border standoff with China.
Delivery and Production Timeline
The delivery schedule, as per the contract signed on March 28, 2025, is set to commence in 2027, three years after the contract signing. The plan involves:
- Initial Delivery: Starting in 2027, with an estimated initial batch, followed by a production rate of 30 helicopters per year.
- Completion: The contract is expected to be completed within five years from the start of deliveries, likely by 2031, ensuring all 156 helicopters are delivered.
HAL has set up additional hangars capable of achieving a peak production of 30 helicopters per year, indicating readiness to meet this timeline. This phased delivery will allow for gradual integration into operational units, with training and associated equipment included in the contracts for both the Army and Air Force.
Comparative Analysis and Unexpected Insights
While Prachanda is primarily seen as a high-altitude combat asset, an unexpected detail is its potential to outshine foreign models like the U.S. AH-64 Apache in certain high-altitude scenarios, as evidenced by its successful trials at Siachen. This capability, combined with its indigenous development, positions it as a cornerstone of India’s combat aviation fleet, potentially influencing export opportunities, such as the recent interest from Nigeria for similar helicopters.
Conclusion
The procurement of 156 Prachanda helicopters is a landmark achievement for India’s defence sector, enhancing combat readiness and self-reliance. As deliveries commence in 2027 and complete by 2031, Prachanda will play a vital role in securing India’s borders and projecting power, reflecting the nation’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence manufacturing.
