The Ministry of Defence sealed two landmark contracts worth Rs 62,700 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday, greenlighting the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), dubbed ‘Prachand,’ to bolster India’s armed forces.

The deal, approved earlier today by the Cabinet Committee on Security, splits the order between the Indian Air Force (66 helicopters) and the Indian Army (90 helicopters), marking HAL’s largest-ever single contract.

The LCH, a homegrown multi-role attack helicopter, excels at altitudes above 5,000 meters, making it ideal for high-altitude ops like those in Siachen and Eastern Ladakh. Deliveries will begin in 2028 and span five years, enhancing combat readiness along China and Pakistan borders.

With over 65% indigenous content, the project ropes in 250 domestic firms, mostly MSMEs, and is expected to create over 8,500 jobs, aligning with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ push.

HAL’s Bengaluru and Tumkur plants will churn out these choppers, equipped with air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles for precision strikes. The contracts follow a June 2024 tender, reflecting India’s drive for self-reliance—92% of this fiscal year’s 193 defence deals, totaling Rs 2,09,050 crore, went to local industries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the move as a milestone in India’s defence manufacturing journey, cementing HAL’s role in securing the nation’s skies.