• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Excelitas Qioptiq banner

BATTLESPACE Updates

   +44 (0)77689 54766
   

  • Home
  • Features
  • News Updates
  • Defence Engage
  • Company Directory
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Pack 2023

INDIA’S LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER IN TROUBLE

September 30, 2009 by

INDIA’S LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER IN TROUBLE
By Bulbul Singh

30 Sep 09. India’s homegrown Light Combat Helicopter [LCH] Program is
facing technical problems as the helicopter is said to be overweight for high altitude missions. The Indian Army and Air Force need the LCH to replace Russian Mi-35 helicopters. The LCH is scheduled to enter service by 2012 but the latest technical problems could delay the whole program.

Sources in India’s State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which is developing the LCH said, “The helicopter is overweight by as much as 600 kilograms which will make it difficult for smoother operations in the upper reaches. Indian defence forces need LCH to replace the aging Russian Mi-35 for logistic and combat purposes in higher reaches of the northern Jammu and Kashmir and also along the Indo-Chinese border.

LCH is a twin-engined, 5.5-ton helicopter and will carry air-to-air missiles, 20mm guns, unguided rockets and cluster bombs, grenade launchers and anti-radiation missiles.

The helicopter will be equipped with missile warning systems, anti-missile countermeasures, and night-attack-capable cockpit displays. Its narrow fuselage will be stealthy, and its landing gear will be built to handle hard landings.

In addition, LCHwill carry a homegrown gyro-stabilized sighting system comprising a high-performance thermal imager and laser rangefinder with a four-kilometer detection range of a NATO tank target. Known as the Heliborne-Thermal Imaging System (HELITIS), it provides a stabilization accuracy of 30 micro-radians and is intended for target recognition and engagement. Most of the weaponry and equipment is being procured from overseas defence companies.

Currently, the weapons and other equipment are being tested on the weaponised version of the Advance Light Helicopter (ALH), produced by HAL.

The LCH is intended to shoot down UAVs and slow-moving aircraft, escort troop-carrying copters on special operations, destroy enemy air defenses, fight in urban environments, and destroy tanks and other vehicles.

LCH is scheduled to enter service by 2012, but technical problems with weight could mean the helicopter could be delayed as the users, the Indian Army and Air Force are likely to reject an overweight LCH.

“Both the Indian Army and Air Force have a Requirement for around 150 LCHs, in case LCH is delayed, the Indian defence ministry may have to go for a global hunt for this category of helicopter,” said a senior official in the Indian Ministry of Defence. There is an increased demand for LCH category of helicopters due to greater vigil on the Indo-Chinese border added the official.

India is strengthening its defences along the Indo-Chinese border, which are along higher reaches in the Himalayas and need to support LCH-type helicopters for logistics.

Recently the Indian Navy asked the Indian defence ministry to buy Medium Lift Helicopters from the overseas market and not wait for HAL’s program.

HAL took up the Medium Lift Helicopter program nearly five years ago, but has still to find an international partner. There is a total demand of over 350 Medium Light Helicopters by the three wings of the Indian defence forces, with a major chunk required from the Indian Navy.

Primary Sidebar

Advertisers

  • qioptiq.com
  • Exensor
  • TCI
  • Visit the Oxley website
  • Visit the Viasat website
  • Blighter
  • SPECTRA
  • Britbots logo
  • Faun Trackway
  • Systematic
  • CISION logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • businesswire logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • ssafa logo
  • Atkins
  • IEE
  • EXFOR logo
  • KME logo
  • DSEi
  • sibylline logo
  • Team Thunder logo
  • Commando Spirit - Blended Scoth Whisy
  • Comtech logo
Hilux Military Raceday Novemeber 2023 Chepstow

Contact Us

BATTLESPACE Publications
Old Charlock
Abthorpe Road
Silverstone
Towcester NN12 8TW

+44 (0)77689 54766

BATTLESPACE Technologies

An international defence electronics news service providing our readers with up to date developments in the defence electronics industry.

Recent News

  • EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCES

    January 27, 2023
    Read more
  • VETERANS UPDATE

    January 27, 2023
    Read more
  • MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE

    January 27, 2023
    Read more

Copyright BATTLESPACE Publications © 2002–2023.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use the website, we'll assume you're ok with this.   Read More  Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT