Prachand LCH: News & Discussion: 03 October 2022

MeshaVishwas · Post by **MeshaVishwas** » 26 Apr 2023 17:33

ramana wrote:Prem Kumar, Let's try to find pictures of the end effects of the 20mm turret gun.
I believe its made by Nexter.

Saar one better:

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 26 Apr 2023 18:35

MeshaVishwas wrote:
ramana wrote:Prem Kumar, Let's try to find pictures of the end effects of the 20mm turret gun.
I believe its made by Nexter.
Saar one better:

Penetration is advertised as between 20mm to 26mm of RHA - @800m, at 30 degree angle. Max operating range approx 2000m.

From the company catalog (pg 81-85) here - https://www.nexter-group.fr/sites/defau ... nition.pdf

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 May 2023 21:19

https://twitter.com/Defencematrix1/stat ... 34151?s=20 ---> HAL has completed the production of 15 LCH Prachand Helicopters against the 15 LCH contract. HAL delivered 8 LCH ahead of contract schedule.

https://twitter.com/JamesBondMI6GB/stat ... 01280?s=20 ---> Initial approval to build these 15 LCH (IAF-10, AAC-5) was granted by the MoD back in January 2021 and cleared by the CCS in March 2022 at a cost of Rs.125 crore per helicopter. Infrastructure costs - Rs.377 crore.

https://twitter.com/JamesBondMI6GB/stat ... 21217?s=20 ---> Correction - Unit cost of the HAL Prachand is Rs.259 crore, not Rs.125 crore.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 18 May 2023 23:10

And no further orders are forthcoming. So the line will remain idle for an indefinite period. Fantastic.

Kersi · Post by **Kersi** » 19 May 2023 12:54

nachiket wrote:And no further orders are forthcoming. So the line will remain idle for an indefinite period. Fantastic.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 19 May 2023 13:10

The Indian forces like to say that they will fight with what they have.

But they never say that they will fight with what they can get.

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 19 May 2023 22:33

LCH line went idle this week
Scorpene line went idle this week

Our Chiefs talk about dwindling squadrons, yet cannot do basic planning. Religiously return unused Capex when the Chinese are breathing down our necks at the border

But hey, lets talk about 6th generation warfare, RMA, look-first-shoot-first and what not

Jayram · Post by **Jayram** » 20 May 2023 01:09

All this when the enemy aggressively moved to capture our land recently and our endless sessions of chai biscoot going nowhere. Where is the urgency and where is the national outrage? But if economy is growing bas thats what matters.

YashG · Post by **YashG** » 20 May 2023 02:51

Until MoD babus dont figure out a way to make money off domestic procurement safely - they will not buy it. Why should IAS afsars in MoD make less when afsars in all other ministry make plenty. Its a class thing...

basant · Post by **basant** » 20 May 2023 03:01

Most problems arise due to the military leadership, IMHO, rather than the civil service. I am not saying all are good or bad, but from what we have been, it is civil service, esp. CAG, that keeps things in order. Is this a sad state, definitely! There are examples of how something was made very urgent when import was required, and the urgency disappeared once a desi product was available. Like NLUH, basic trainers, etc. And changing of specs right when they are met or close to meeting. Wiki page on Nag missile is a master piece on the topic.

YashG · Post by **YashG** » 20 May 2023 11:23

Defence procurement has to be taken out of Babudom either or defence ministry needs a fulltime minister who is not insecure about his political turf and eventual political decline. The only reason RS cannont spend a lot more time on defence matters : Primarily, his political turf in UP is not as secure that he can put marginal time into political matters. & 2. He is not a technocrat and his understanding does not come to him firsthand and therefore decisions on defence matters

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 21 May 2023 09:52

It's not just the babudom. It's the services.

Babudom doesn't change the GSQR at the last minute.

The services do.

The Navy has an opportunity to build the second Vikrant for the last 7 or 8 years. They choose not to.

The army inducted 2000 tanks without the features they had been adamant Arjun must have.

The Nag the less said the better.

P75I same as above.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 23 May 2023 20:06

https://twitter.com/ang3lkenny/status/1 ... 97313?s=20 ---> HAL update from the meet last week (most already reported by now). Expected orders visibility on ALH Dhruv, LUH, LCH, UHM and the engines (AL-31FP & RD-33). Fingers crossed on export possibility.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 08 Jun 2023 00:56

Prem Kumar wrote:LCH line went idle this week
Scorpene line went idle this week

Our Chiefs talk about dwindling squadrons, yet cannot do basic planning. Religiously return unused Capex when the Chinese are breathing down our necks at the border

But hey, lets talk about 6th generation warfare, RMA, look-first-shoot-first and what not

They are doing the same thing to the LUH as well. Initial order of *12*. Which means after HAL delivers these that line will go idle for years as well while they await orders. We as a people are simply not serious enough about actually building military capability. We will talk a big game, spend billions we don't have on a few silver bullets while the bulk of our forces continue to use obsolete weapons and equipment. The inevitable result will be loss of land, lives and more to enemies who are not this stupid. We have steadfastly refused to learn any lessons from our own history. No point in blaming the baboos, politicians and generals beyond a point. Unless the people do not give enough importance to these issues nothing will change.

bala · Post by **bala** » 16 Jun 2023 09:12

The delivery of 10 LCH Limited Series Production aircraft for the IAF is nearing completion and the production of the Series Production aircraft is likely to commence shortly to meet the order of 145 Series Production LCH for the IAF and Indian Army.

According to this ...

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 16 Jun 2023 11:41

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1932718

During the visit to the Tejas Division, the HAL team briefed the DCAS on the production status of trainer aircraft and the plan for deliveries of the LCA Mk 1A. The DCAS will also visit the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand Production Line to assess the production status of the homegrown combat helicopter. The delivery of 10 LCH Limited Series Production aircraft for the IAF is nearing completion and the production of the Series Production aircraft is likely to commence shortly to meet the order of 145 Series Production LCH for the IAF and Indian Army.

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 16 Jun 2023 13:29

This is great news, if true

There have been no reports of an actual order so far. But the PIB bulletin makes it look as if an order is already in place

What gives?

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 16 Jun 2023 20:13

guys, I don't know what is this wrangling about?
The SOP for Indian defence acquisition (for LCA, all missiles, Arjun, Dhanush, everything) is that after passing all tests, there is Limited Series Production (LSP). These are used by regular troops in all conditions. They provide very useful and practical feedback that is incorporated in the final design (different than scope creep). Like even moving where the nut bolts should be for easier dismantling. Then the series production starts. LCH and LUH are also goint through the same. There is no conspiracy here.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 16 Jun 2023 21:53

LSP phase is actually meant to setup the assembly line and test the result for production faults. You can't get to production line without LSP. I suspect certification process continues to it some LRUs.

As far as the orders are concerned, they're pretty much assured if they only find production niggles and not major design issues.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Jul 2023 18:29

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 83488?s=20 ---> Delicious morning news

HAL orders 10 THL 20 helicopter turrets from Nexter. The THL20 is the main armament of the Indian Army's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). It currently equips a fleet of 110 aircraft.

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 37504?s=20 ---> This new order reinforces partnership launched in 2006 to equip the Indian Army's helicopters. THL20 turret is armed with Nexter's 20M621 20mm cannon, which fires NATO-compatible 20x102mm ammunition. It is controlled by the pilot's helmet and the helicopter's optronic system.

A Deshmukh · Post by **A Deshmukh** » 04 Jul 2023 18:45

only 10? of course 10 > 0...so news is still +ve.
but 10 indicates LCH production orders are still not placed in large quantities yet.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 04 Jul 2023 19:13

Not necessarily, the production of the machine will be a multi year program. So not really a big issue if multiple orders are placed over the next few years.

Kersi · Post by **Kersi** » 05 Jul 2023 11:04

Prem Kumar wrote:LCH line went idle this week
Scorpene line went idle this week

Our Chiefs talk about dwindling squadrons, yet cannot do basic planning. Religiously return unused Capex when the Chinese are breathing down our necks at the border

But hey, lets talk about 6th generation warfare, RMA, look-first-shoot-first and what not

Saving money for imports ?

ashishvikas · Post by **ashishvikas** » 05 Jul 2023 21:56

https://twitter.com/lca_tejas_/status/1 ... 38912?s=20 ---> 14th LCH-Prachand. Photo: @AviationWall

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 10 Jul 2023 19:02

https://twitter.com/hvtiaf/status/16780 ... 95585?s=20 ---> Make some noise for the Desi Boyz.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 10 Jul 2023 19:06

https://twitter.com/hvtiaf/status/16775 ... 28800?s=20 ---> Head Turners

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 10 Jul 2023 21:07

Rakesh wrote: ↑10 Jul 2023 19:02 https://twitter.com/hvtiaf/status/16780 ... 95585?s=20 ---> Make some noise for the Desi Boyz.

~~Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrttt~~

Edit - wait the nexter 20mm on the Prachand is not a multi-barrel minigun...

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2023 21:50

Check out that desert camo Prachand LCH at the beginning of the video

VIDEO: https://twitter.com/severerocket/status ... 73696?s=20 ---> Made in India! LCH Prachand!

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 22 Aug 2023 18:53

https://twitter.com/LevinaNeythiri/stat ... 79474?s=20 ---> Eye of the Tiger

Awesome picture of pilots flying Prachand. Picture Credit: @zone5aviation

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 23 Aug 2023 11:52

Rakesh wrote: ↑21 Aug 2023 21:50 Check out that desert camo Prachand LCH at the beginning of the video

VIDEO: https://twitter.com/severerocket/status ... 73696?s=20 ---> Made in India! LCH Prachand!

Doesn't look like tan/brown desert camo. Seems to me that it's just the way the sunlight is falling on the Prachand which is making the grey appear to be light brown/tan.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 15 Sep 2023 20:54

Dhruvastra ATGM is coming on HAL Dhruv MkIV helicopters. Keeping fingers crossed that it finds it way to the Prachand LCH.

https://x.com/BharatShaktiBSI/status/17 ... 65934?s=20

mody · Post by **mody** » 16 Sep 2023 12:58

DAC has approved the purchase of 200nos of Dhruvastra missiles for 700 Crores for the Rudra MK-IV and Prachand attack helos.
Note that the Dhruvastra is the name given for the Airforce version (though I don't know whats the difference between the IA and airforce versions and frankly why they even need to be different).
Hopefully the numbers will increase beyond this initial order, as the number of attack helos in service also increase.

Cyrano · Post by **Cyrano** » 16 Sep 2023 15:30

As the current Ukraine war has shown, RuAF is destroying Ukr tank collection from stand off distances using KA52 attack helicopters very effectively. That's why the clamour for F16.

Once the AD cover is taken out, or using tactics like low level flying to pop up shoot the anti tank missile and pop down, Paki tanks will be highly vulnerable to Prachand + Dhruvastara.

Tanaji · Post by **Tanaji** » 16 Sep 2023 17:16

200 is too less one would think and would get used up in 10 days or so of high intensity conflict.

We need to start thinking big …

Cyrano · Post by **Cyrano** » 17 Sep 2023 03:04

Speak softly= Indian diplomacy
Big stick=Indian MIC

A Deshmukh · Post by **A Deshmukh** » 17 Sep 2023 10:20

Tanaji wrote: ↑16 Sep 2023 17:16200 is too less one would think and would get used up in 10 days or so of high intensity conflict.

I wouldn't worry on this. Once the initial orders are done, it will open the floodgates.
we have 200-300 attack helis. all need missiles. Govt will not allow imported ones.
It will follow the pattern of Akash. Batches of 200...and slowly public loses track of how many batches ordered.

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 17 Sep 2023 12:52

Hope what you say comes true. We need more of the Akash, Pinaka mode of induction and less of the Arjun mode. Time will tell

For some areas in ATGM, we will continue to import where no good local alternative exists: MANPATGM and Spike-NLOS

Its fine for now till our products in these areas mature. But important that once Spike gets in, it doesn't kill of the bread-n-butter Helina/Dhruvastra

NAG is already dead

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Sep 2023 18:46

https://x.com/hvtiaf/status/1703760394479681928?s=20 ---> Prepare, Inspect, Attack, Repeat.

Cyrano · Post by **Cyrano** » 20 Sep 2023 13:24

^^^PIAR se samjhayege means this onlee

Neela · Post by **Neela** » 29 Sep 2023 17:19

BIG

IAF to buy 156 more ‘Prachand’ Light Combat choppers for deployment along China, Pak border

IAF will get 66 choppers and the Indian Army will get 90 of them under this deal. ‘Prachand’ Light Combat Helicopters to be deployed at both the China, and Pakistan borders by the Indian Armed Forces.