It took 18 long years for the Indian Air Force to have an attack helicopter which can even fly at high altitude areas including the 19,600 feet high Siachen Glacier, world's highest battlefield. On Friday, Indian Air Force has placed an order for 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) manufactured by state-owned aerospace and defence company HAL.
IAF had faced its biggest handicap during the 1999 Kargil conflict, as its only combat helicopter, the Mi-35, failed to climb at high altitudes of Kargil hills. Russian built Mi-35 did have the capabilities to operate at extremely high altitudes, where the conflict was was concentrated. Eventually, IAF has to launch its operation codenamed 'Safed Sagar' to support group troops aimed to flush out infiltrators and regular troops of Pakistani army.
But, on Friday, giving a big boost to indigenous combat capability, the HAL has received a Request for Proposal(RFP) for LCH, which HAL claims to be the only rotary wing machine in the world that can launch offensive at very high altitudes.
This comes close on the heels of HAL receiving order for supply of 83 Tejas fighter jets for the IAF.
LCH is a 5.5-ton class, combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL, is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter, according to the HAL. "Unique features of LCH include its sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crash-worthy landing gear, crash-worthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armor protection and low visibility features which makes the LCH lethal, agile and survivable," HAL claimed.
The helicopter would have day/night targeting systems for the crew including the helmet pointed sight and Electro-optical pod consisting of CCD camera/FLIR/Laser Range Finder(LRF)/Laser Designator(LD). The LCH is fitted with Self Protection Suite consisting of Radar/Laser Missile warning systems and countermeasures dispensing system.
According to HAL, presently, four technology demonstrators are under flight testing.
"LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen, 5400 metre above sea level," spokesperson for HAL Gopal Sutar said, while adding that the helicopter has participated in IAF's 'Iron Fist 2016' exercise in March 2016 and displayed its rocket firing capabilities in its weaponised configuration.
On August 26, 2017, the defence minister launched the production of LCH at Bengaluru and IOC(initial operational clearance) documents of the basic version were handed over to HAL.
On Wednesday, HAL received order from the IAF for 83 LCA Tejas to bridge the gap in its depleting combat fleet. IAF is presently operating with 33 squadrons compared to 42 squadrons required to handle the two-front scenario. IAF's combat fleet is depleting fast as by 2032, it will be come down to 27, and by 2042 to 19.
