New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence today finalized two agreements with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), known as ‘Prachand’, along with training and related equipment, totaling Rs. 62,700 crore, not including taxes.
The initial contract involves the delivery of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF), while the second contract covers the supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army.
The delivery of these helicopters by HAL is set to begin in the third year and will be distributed over the following five years. The Ministry of Defence stated that these contracts are expected to significantly boost the combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces in high-altitude environments.
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) stands as India’s first fully indigenous combat helicopter, capable of operating at altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters. A substantial portion of its components is designed and produced within India, with a goal of achieving more than 65% indigenous content throughout the procurement process.
This initiative will engage over 250 domestic companies, primarily small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and is projected to create more than 8,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The Ministry of Defence today also entered into a contract with Metrea Management for the wet leasing of a Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) to facilitate air-to-air refuelling training for pilots in the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
Metrea is set to deliver the FRA, specifically a KC135 aircraft, within a six-month timeframe, marking the first instance of the IAF utilizing a wet-leased FRA.
The signing of these three contracts has brought the total number of agreements finalized by the Ministry of Defence for the 2024-25 period to 193, with an overall value surpassing Rs 2,09,050 crore. This marks the highest total ever recorded, nearly doubling the previous peak. Among these contracts, 177, or 92%, are awarded to the domestic industry, amounting to a substantial Rs 1,68,922 crore, which represents 81% of the total contract value.
– global bihari bureau
