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https://x.com/somnath1978/status/1894807149597073728 ---> A strong Minister/Defence Secy will tell the Army - its either LUH or you can continue flying Cheetahs. No Ka226/Fennec/Euro-something or the other will be approved.
https://x.com/somnath1978/status/1894808418256593365 ---> Wont be a bad idea to reserve a few posts in HAL, incl that of the CEO, for IAF officers. At the very least, all the "HAL is bad" excuses will stop. Bit like shipyards - they are the worst in Asia. Yet Navy does not complain, as they are led by ex-Navy officers
VIDEO:https://x.com/SandeepUnnithan/status/18 ... 3423613001 ---> No defence platform has gone from the drawing board to Siachen in just 5 years. It will be a pity if the HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) does not get the bulk production orders it deserves. Indian Designed Developed & Manufactured (IDDM) all the way.
As per confirmed sources, a senior IAF veteran and experimental test pilot (ETP) under HAL employment had warned officials within the company of serious design issues in LUH early in the program.
Rakesh wrote: ↑27 Feb 2025 22:01 https://x.com/somnath1978/status/1894808418256593365 ---> Wont be a bad idea to reserve a few posts in HAL, incl that of the CEO, for IAF officers. At the very least, all the "HAL is bad" excuses will stop. Bit like shipyards - they are the worst in Asia. Yet Navy does not complain, as they are led by ex-Navy officers
Probably a bad idea. The reason the Navy is not complaining on the delays is probably because the navy is not going to be able fund it faster than that with its minuscule budget, relatively speaking. To equate that with the Shipyards being led by ex naval personnel is a pretty wrong assumption, IMO.
Did we ever get any detailed reason why Apache crashed? Was it fault of the machine, maintainence or crew? When it comes to foreign maal we do not use the same yardstick that we use for desi platforms
As per confirmed sources, a senior IAF veteran and experimental test pilot (ETP) under HAL employment had warned officials within the company of serious design issues in LUH early in the program.
Atmanirbhar in the Skies: India’s Helicopter Revolution
India is embarking on an ambitious plan to acquire over 1,000 helicopters over the next decade, a move critical to its military modernisation and self-reliance in defence production. With rising tensions along the Himalayan frontier with China and an ageing fleet, the Indian Armed Forces require advanced rotary-wing platforms to enhance mobility, surveillance, and combat capabilities.
In this week's Defence Mantra, Nitin A Gokhale breaks down India’s massive helicopter requirements and what it means for the future of its defence forces. The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is set to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleet, offering high-altitude operational capabilities. The Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) aims to replace the Mi-17 fleet and serve across military and naval operations. Meanwhile, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand—designed for high-altitude warfare—has already entered service, adding much-needed firepower along India’s borders.
Beyond military needs, India’s push for indigenous helicopter manufacturing, spearheaded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), aligns with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision. The upcoming production of LUH and IMRH, along with the ALH Dhruv, will not only strengthen India's defence sector but also open up significant export opportunities.
Can HAL and private defence players meet this massive demand? Will India emerge as a global player in helicopter production? Join us as we explore these questions, breaking down the challenges and opportunities in India’s helicopter modernisation race.
Indian Army, IAF seek 200 light Helicopters to replace ageing Chetak-Cheetah fleet
The Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to replace its fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters with about 200 modern light helicopters classified as Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters (RSH).
The new helicopters will serve both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, with an expected requirement of 120 units for the Army and 80 for the Air Force.
The RFI aims to finalise technical requirements, decide the procurement method, and identify potential suppliers, including Indian companies partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who can supply Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters.
LUH was tailor made for this task, but we have let the line go idle and it will take atleast 3 years to restart. What was the need for this RFI when we had a home grown product in LUH.
Rupesh wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025 10:49
Indian Army, IAF seek 200 light Helicopters to replace ageing Chetak-Cheetah fleet
The Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to replace its fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters with about 200 modern light helicopters classified as Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters (RSH).
The new helicopters will serve both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, with an expected requirement of 120 units for the Army and 80 for the Air Force.
The RFI aims to finalise technical requirements, decide the procurement method, and identify potential suppliers, including Indian companies partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who can supply Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters.
LUH was tailor made for this task, but we have let the line go idle and it will take atleast 3 years to restart. What was the need for this RFI when we had a home grown product in LUH.
We are short sighted - we designed for customer with their requirements. What is the need for this song and dance?
There are plenty of Import Bahadurs in Twitter, who readily give a free pass to imported helis but want to ground the entire Dhruv/LCH/LUH fleet at the first sign of trouble. The handle @realkaypius comes to mind, among others
These are the kinds of people who are opposing Naval Dhruv, LUH etc
True, the Dhruv with skids has a fatigue life problem, but its fixable. And its not like imported helis don't have this kind of problem or that Western nations didn't encounter these during their development cycles. But the step-motherly treatment is there for all to see
RM Parikkar would have cracked the whip. Rajnath Singh once claimed that knows that screwdrivergiri is not true Atmanirbhar. Yet, he happily parrots this lie. Maybe he has been co-opted or is just plain powerless
Prem Kumar wrote: ↑10 Aug 2025 11:37
There are plenty of Import Bahadurs in Twitter, who readily give a free pass to imported helis but want to ground the entire Dhruv/LCH/LUH fleet at the first sign of trouble. The handle @realkaypius comes to mind, among others
These are the kinds of people who are opposing Naval Dhruv, LUH etc
True, the Dhruv with skids has a fatigue life problem, but its fixable. And its not like imported helis don't have this kind of problem or that Western nations didn't encounter these during their development cycles. But the step-motherly treatment is there for all to see
RM Parikkar would have cracked the whip. Rajnath Singh once claimed that knows that screwdrivergiri is not true Atmanirbhar. Yet, he happily parrots this lie. Maybe he has been co-opted or is just plain powerless
Oh yeah real puss!Y - He has me blocked on twitter... I think I hit them nerves often!
I can understand rotor issues, but not sure what is the insurmountable problem with an imported FCS. In the sense that obviously an indigenous FCS would be better, but when the alternative is a completely imported helicopter?
vonkabra wrote: ↑03 Oct 2025 10:58
Some light at the end of the tunnel:
I can understand rotor issues, but not sure what is the insurmountable problem with an imported FCS. In the sense that obviously an indigenous FCS would be better, but when the alternative is a completely imported helicopter?
Already an indigenous automatic flight conrol system for Prachand was developed a couple of years ago by HAL and got certified for use in Prachand ,to replace imported AFCS. The same can be used with modifications matching the control laws of LUH.
https://x.com/InsightGL/status/2009253594571129080?s=20 ---> Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi: IN is not interested in procuring the Light Utility Helicopter developed by HAL. As per him the platform does not meet the Navy's Qualitative Requirements. The findings of naval evaluations were clear and, as a result, the LUH is not being considered for induction into naval service. IN presently operates around 51 Chetak helicopters & these aircraft may not be directly replaced by the LUH.
1) They are happy to fly the 60+ year old single engined Chetak instead
2) They never involved themselves in the LUH project to have a 2 engine variant
As always this has been import earmarked from Day 1.
1) They are happy to fly the 60+ year old single engined Chetak instead
2) They never involved themselves in the LUH project to have a 2 engine variant
As always this has been import earmarked from Day 1
HAL UHM Explained: The New Maritime Helicopter Transforming India’s Naval Power
India has taken a major leap in naval aviation as HAL confirms that the first prototype of the Utility Helicopter–Maritime (UHM) is ready and will conduct its first flight later this year. Designed specifically for shipborne operations and maritime missions, the UHM is set to transform the Indian Navy’s helicopter fleet.
In this video, we explain the full details, design features, capabilities, and importance of the new UHM helicopter. Based on the trusted ALH Dhruv platform but redesigned extensively for naval use, the UHM brings advanced features such as foldable main rotor blades, a folding tail boom, and an optimized tail section for compact warship hangars.
The helicopter will also be equipped with a modern naval sensor suite, including a nose-mounted maritime surveillance radar for improved reconnaissance and situational awareness. Capable of performing search and rescue operations, utility transport, maritime patrol, and limited anti-surface missions, the UHM is set to boost India’s maritime strength.
With the Indian Navy urgently needing modern helicopters to replace legacy platforms, the UHM represents a powerful step toward self-reliance, reducing import dependence and strengthening the Make in India vision.
In this video you will learn:
– UHM helicopter features & technology
– Why the Indian Navy urgently needs new helicopters
– How HAL redesigned the ALH for maritime operations
– First flight timeline & future deployment
– How UHM aligns with India’s strategic naval goals
The reason is they are going for Dhruv UH-M
Indian Navy to Get AESA Radar-Equipped UH-M Helicopters from HAL https://jetlinemarvel.net/indian-navy-t ... -from-hal/
HAL’s UH-M naval helicopter with AESA radar promises to boost India’s maritime capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign defense platforms.
The Navy intends to acquire a twin engine 5.5 ton category helicopter as single engine light helicopters are not suitable for deck based operations. It is already working with HAL on UH-M for 60 numbers and RFI is already out for 51 numbers in the Buy & Make category.
The question is why again go for H125 instead of creating few more lines and mass produce the entire requirement with LUH. Why can't there be scale? A company that has delivered around 400 Dhruv, this 225 units is not a big order number.
picture from planespotter.net https://x.com/i/status/2025067959992156283
@Kunal_Biswas707
Stunning image of an LSP HAL LUH resting on the tarmac. These beauties — 5101, 5102, 5103, 5104, 5105 and 5106 — are primed to enter Indian Army service in March 2026! The Indian Army requires 225 units, which may be divided between the Tata-Airbus H125 and HAL LUH.
Same crap is happening in Light Tank. Zorwawar is ready but after all the R&D, a paltry order of 50 or so to be placed before issuing an RFP to multiple vendors. Similarly, LUH can be ready & superior. But an old, shitty design will get the bulk orders because someone's snout is in the tub. Its clear as daylight now - there are huge amount of bribes & geopolitical pressures at play here. The import lobby is winning hands down. Modi & Rajnath do not have the ability or the will to fight this. They have accepted their fate and joining the chorus, singing "Atmanirbhar" to fool the public.
uddu wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:29
The Indian Army requires 225 units, which may be divided between the Tata-Airbus H125 and HAL LUH.
The armed forces are making a mockery out of indigenous systems. I thought the Indian Army was forward thinking in this area and usurped the IAF thunder on helos. But if they induct H125 it tells you where they are in terms of supporting indigenous systems. This has to be opposed by the Mantri-ji, the MoD babus don't care.
In this video you will learn:
