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Good news at last! But as with the Tejas-Mk1A, let it get through the AoN stage, RFP and then a signed contract.
HAL delivered the first batch of 15 fairly quickly because they had invested in them out of their own pocket. Order placement to fulfilment took just about a year.
We saw a DAC approval for 200 Dhruvastras a few days back. Those are barely sufficient for the Rudra fleet. There was a Helina DAC approval from January, but hasn't become a contract yet.
If they are going to place a Prachand order, hope some sense prevails and they do one LARGE order of Dhruvastras (like 600+) so that the entire fleet of Rudra + Prachand can be ATGM enabled. Not do this piecemeal 200 for part of the Rudra fleet, a batch of 100 for Helina, then a 100 more for Prachand etc.
Otherwise, we will see hitjobs from Rajat Pandit 2 years down the road that our Prachands are naked without tank-busters because ATGMs are not available.
Going by the all-round-incompetence, I wouldn't be surprised if the order for Prachand goes through but someone forgets to order adequate rockets or 20 mm rounds
Headline says IAF to buy 156 choppers but the article says it's 66 for IAF and 90 for IA
Is there a specific logic or strategic thought behind the balance of attack helos between the IA and IAF or is it still basically up to each service to say how much they want and can afford.
With possible theatrerization one would assume that like fixed wing assets there is a plan for rotary assets to also be flexibly used
....meanwhile Prachand's American Big Brother seems to be having some problems which were obviously not captured in the summer, winter, Kashmir to Kanyakumari trials here....
The U.S. Army and Boeing can't fix a problem with generators in AH-64E Apache attack helicopters that causes the cockpit to fill with smoke
For nearly two years, the US Army has been recording an increasing number of generator failures in the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The problem has not yet been resolved.
Here's What We Know
Last week, the US Department of Defence released several reports on major procurement programmes. Among them was a document on the US Army's AH-64E Apache fleet, dated December last year. The report revealed some details of a problem that is still unresolved.
The malfunction creates potentially hazardous flight conditions and forces pilots to make unplanned landings. When the generator fails, the AH-64E Apache's cockpit can fill with smoke. As a result, visibility is impaired and pilots experience breathing problems.
The problem has not been fixed at this time. The U.S. Army has taken temporary measures to remedy the situation. A long-term solution is under study. It is also noted that the generator malfunction has never caused an AH-64E Apache to crash.
Despite the unresolved problem, the U.S. continues to approve sales of attack helicopters. In particular, the State Department recently approved the potential sale of nearly a hundred AH-64E Apache to Poland.
https://x.com/AviationWall/status/17127 ... 11521?s=20 ---> "As the sun rises, we hold steadfast in our belief that our very own HAL shall ascend, spreading its wings to soar as a remarkable global force in the aviation industry. With unwavering determination, we envision a future where HAL's brilliance illuminates the skies, inspiring awe and admiration as it pioneers breakthroughs, sets new standards, and leaves an indelible mark on the world. Together, let us embrace the dawn of limitless possibilities, as HAL takes flight and fulfills its destiny as a true beacon of excellence and innovation."
We have manufactured 15 limited series production (LSP) helicopters and now the series production will begin. We have finalised the additional requirements. We want to deliver good numbers every year, instead of the normal 12-15. Our target will be to execute this order in the shortest possible time, in five to six years. That’s around 25 choppers per year.
- Safran HAL JV for IMRH engines soon, production in 4 years. IMRH by 2031
- Mk-1A delivery 24/year by 2025-26
- Mk-1A near to CEMILAC clearance
- LCH ~ 25/year for 156 units
- GE F414 deal in an year (fingers crossed)
- 84 Su-30 MKI Uttam + upgrade will not involve any foreign OEM
Defence Acquisition Council approval awaited for ₹45,000-crore indigenous Light Combat Helicopters deal.
The Army is gearing up to induct the first lot of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from February 2024 onwards and will be deployed in the desert sector, while the bigger contract for 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), 90 for the Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force, estimated to cost ₹45,000 crore, is expected to be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) next week.
The Army Aviation, which has so far operated utility helicopters, inducted its first dedicated attack helicopter with the LCH and the first squadron, 351 Army Aviation, was moved to Missamari, Assam in the eastern sector near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last November, as reported by The Hindu earlier.
Modernisation plans
Talking of the IAF’s modernisation plans and indigenous push, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari recently said they had inducted 10 LCH last year, in the 143 Helicopter Unit ‘Dhanush’, and are looking at signing a contract in the coming year for a total of 156 of them, 66 of which would be for the IAF.
In March 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved procurement of 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) variants of LCH at a cost of ₹3,887 crore, along with infrastructure sanctions worth ₹377 crore, 10 for the IAF and five for the Army.
https://x.com/adgpi/status/1718952873894224301?s=20 ---> The inaugural firing of 70mm rocket and 20mm turret guns of Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, was successfully executed, both by day & night. Lieutenant General AK Suri, DG Army Aviation witnessed the firing from the leading helicopter of the three attack helicopter formation for real-time validation of the armament capability of an LCH Squadron.
https://x.com/AdithyaKM_/status/1718961 ... 74594?s=20 ---> While DRDO's ATGMs are the notable missing cog, reminder that the entire armament suite of LCH & Rudra are currently from Nexter of France, Thales Belgium and MBDA. Needs to be progressively replaced by IDDM options for the large SP order & exports. The capability, market and need exists.
Atmavik wrote: ↑30 Oct 2023 22:31
So Prachand was inducted before firing trials ? That’s a sea change from the endless trial cycle.
Arrey Bhai, corps level pe training/testing hai. Earlier it was by test pilots observed by the services. If I remember correctly, Prachand has even fired live rockets during Air Force Day celebrations. Let Army Aviation have their own Diwali fun
VIDEO:https://x.com/GajrajCorps_IA/status/171 ... 89919?s=20 ---> Indigenously built multi-role Light Combat Helicopter "Prachand" designed for mountainous terrain successfully achieved its targets with potent armaments during day & night firing in @GajrajCorps_IA. Cutting edge technology and weapon systems on this tailor made platform, enhance the Indian Army's precision, speed and fire power capabilities.
https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1719919235252752539?s=20 ---> Having revalidated the firing of its 20mm caliber gun and 70mm rockets in March this year, IAF Light Combat Helicopters Prachand recently carried out operations from a helipad located at an elevation of nearly 10, 000 ft in forward areas.
https://x.com/TheAirWarrior_/status/171 ... 68587?s=20 ---> The prowess of our IAF pilots and machines knows no bounds! Successfully firing 20mm gun & 70mm rockets and now operating at such high altitudes, shows their unwavering capabilities.
VIDEO:https://x.com/ANI/status/1730196145836802251?s=20 ---> On LCH Prachand choppers, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari says, "The requirement for having a very agile combat helicopter was felt immediately during after the Kargil and this indigenous development of the LCH or the Prachand has given a tremendous boost to our capability in are fighting in this domain of helicopter combat operations. We had procured 10 of them initially, for the Indian Air Force, the light combat helicopters, and they have proven their worth. They are indeed very agile, they are capable of carrying out multiple tasks even at high altitudes and these will definitely enhance the capability of the armed forces and the Air Force in particular...I don't think we will ever need to import attack helicopters. This huge tranche of 156 LCH should suffice to meet our own requirements of both the Army and the Air Force..."
The next ostensible goal is export of the LCH/Prachand to videshi nations. I see a good market in South East Asian nations, African and Latin American nations. Some concerted effort in integrating an advanced weapons package would certainly make it one formidable helicopter. HAL helicopter division has really pulled of one great success after success, kudos to them.
Rakesh wrote: ↑30 Nov 2023 22:22VIDEO:https://x.com/ANI/status/1730196145836802251?s=20 ---> On LCH Prachand choppers, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari says, "The requirement for having a very agile combat helicopter was felt immediately during after the Kargil and this indigenous development of the LCH or the Prachand has given a tremendous boost to our capability in are fighting in this domain of helicopter combat operations. We had procured 10 of them initially, for the Indian Air Force, the light combat helicopters, and they have proven their worth. They are indeed very agile, they are capable of carrying out multiple tasks even at high altitudes and these will definitely enhance the capability of the armed forces and the Air Force in particular...I don't think we will ever need to import attack helicopters. This huge tranche of 156 LCH should suffice to meet our own requirements of both the Army and the Air Force..."
Now cue import lobby and lifafa journos to talk trash about LCH and how great Apache is ...
