The defence ministry has started the process to procure 156 light combat helicopters (LCH) from state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
- A request for proposal (RFP) or initial tender has been issued by the ministry for the procurement project.
- The tender is expected to be worth over ₹45,000 crore with helicopters to be acquired by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
- LCHs also known as the Prachand, is the world’s only attack helicopter that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 ft), which makes it ideal to operate in the high-altitude areas of the Siachen glacier and Eastern Ladakh.
- It is also capable of firing a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and can destroy air defence operations of the enemy.
- Government has been emphasising the intention to go for self-reliance in defence manufacturing through Make in India as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
