“It is an important milestone for the Air Force”, Defence Minister says on induction of light combat helicopters

In the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari the induction of the first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters - or LCHs - into the Air Force in Jodhpur in Rajasthan took place.

“It is an important milestone for the Air Force,” said the defence minister at the event. “Since independence, the IAF was dependent on foreign attack helicopters. The dire need to reduce this dependence was felt during the 1999 Kargil War. This is set to change now,” he underlined.

Aeronautics Limited has developed the light combat helicopters, expanding the government's ‘Make in India’ initiative - or Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan - to the defence sector. Among the top features are all-weather combat capability, high altitude performance, agility, maneuverability, and extended range. For better survivability, the choppers have night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear.

"The induction of LCH provides a unique capability. The helicopter has proved itself in the Himalayan region as well,” IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said. Ahead of the induction process, a prayer ceremony - which marked participation of different religions - was also performed.