DELHI— India signed a massive Rs 62,700 crore deal on Friday, March 28, 2025, to buy 156 locally-made ‘Prachand’ light combat helicopters (LCHs) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This marks the largest-ever such deal, finalized shortly after receiving approval from the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
The CCS approved the purchase of 90 LCHs for the Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force. ‘Prachand’ is specially designed for operations in elevated terrain. Currently, 45% of their components are made in India, with plans to increase this to 65% by the project’s end.
HAL LCH; Photo- Venkat Mangudi; Wikimedia CommonsProduction Details & Timeline
The 156 new helicopters will add to the 15 LCHs (10 for IAF and 5 for Army) already brought into service under a Rs 3,887 crore contract in 2022. According to the contract signed, the helicopters will be built at HAL facilities in Bengaluru and Tumkur, Karnataka. The deal, worth Rs 62,700 crore, excluding taxes, includes associated equipment and training costs.
“The deliveries will begin in three years, with 30 LCHs to be manufactured per year,” a defense official told the Times of India.
‘Prachand’ Capabilities
Technical
‘Prachand’ LCH combat helicopters come armed with 20mm turret guns, 70mm rocket systems, and air-to-air missiles for combat operations. Especially in high-altitude areas like eastern Ladakh and Siachen Glacier along the borders with China and Pakistan.
‘Prachand’ is India’s first locally designed and developed combat helicopter capable of operating at altitudes over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). The highly maneuverable 5.8-tonne helicopter currently has 45% indigenous content by value.
“The plan is to achieve an overall indigenous content of over 65% during the execution of this 156-LCH procurement.”
Defense Officials
Prachand is powered by two Shakti engines developed with the French company Safran Group. It can target enemy infantry troops, tanks, bunkers, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The need for such helicopters in mountain warfare was first strongly felt during the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan.
Photo- WikipediaSafety Features
The helicopter features multiple safety enhancements, including:
- Lightweight armor panels protect against 7.62mm and 12.7mm rounds
- Self-sealing fuel tanks
- Damage-tolerant main rotor blades
- Bullet-proof windshields
- Low frontal radar cross-section
CCS Defense Developments
The CCS also approved a new defense cooperation agreement with Sri Lanka.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with US company Metrea Management. A wet leased KC-135 mid-air refueling aircraft will arrive within six months to train IAF and Navy pilots.
Photo- WikipediaOverall Defense Contracts
The total number of contracts signed by the Ministry of Defense during the 2023-24 fiscal year has now reached 193. The overall value of the contract exceeded Rs 2 lakh crore.
“This is the highest ever such figure, and nearly double the previous such number. Of them, the contracts to domestic industry are 177 (92%), with a value of almost Rs 1.7 lakh crore (81%).”
Defense Official
Deals for 26 Rafale-Marine fighters from France and the construction of three additional Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks, together worth almost Rs 1 lakh crore (Euro 10.6 billion), have been pushed to the next fiscal year.
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