Article Posted on : - Mar 10, 2011

Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). A file photo.

NEW DELIHI (BNS): The Indian Air Force (IAF) will spend $1.4 billion to procure 64 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a media report said.

The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is designed and developed indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in four years since the project began in 2006, and is likely to be ready for induction by the Army and Air Force before 2014, according to defense news.

The LCH is a dedicated attack helicopter derived from the Advanced Light Helicopter and is fitted with weapon systems, mission systems and crashworthy wheel landing gear with in-built stealth characteristics.

The LCH has been designed to fit into an anti-infantry and anti-armour role and will have the capability to operate at high altitudes.

The helicopter, powered by twin Shakti engines developed by HAL in association with French Turbomeca, can achieve a top speed of 268 kmph and has a range of 550 km with internal fuel tanks. It can extend its range by another 250 km using drop tanks.