Dynamite News IAF Inducts Indigenously-built First Fleet Of Light Combat Helicopter
The LCH has been developed primarily for mountain warfare after a requirement for it was felt during the Kargil war in 1999. Read more on Dynamite News:
Jodhpur: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday inducted the first fleet of indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). Developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the 5.8-tonne twin-engine gunship chopper is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems and other weapons.
The LCH has been developed primarily for mountain warfare after a requirement for it was felt during the Kargil war in 1999. The fleet comprising four helicopters was inducted into the IAF at a ceremony at the Jodhpur Air Force Station in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and other senior military officials.
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In his address, Rajnath Singh described the induction of the indigenously-built LCH into the IAF as a "momentous occasion" for India's defence production. "The IAF has been playing an important role in protecting India's sovereignty and I am confident that its overall capability will enhance further following induction of LCH," Singh said in his address.
Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the capabilities of LCH are on a par with the helicopters of its class globally. The helicopters were given a traditional water-canon salute that followed a multi-religious prayer ceremony.
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The LCH is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and all-weather combat capability to perform a range of roles including combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defence (DEAD) and counter-insurgency (CI) operations. (with agency inputs)