Bengaluru, April 8, 2026 – Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday piloted the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities. The sortie offered a firsthand evaluation of the aircraft's performance, agility, and combat readiness.
The visit also encompassed a broader review of the Army Aviation's support structures, including maintenance, upgrade, and production capabilities for indigenous platforms like the LCH Prachand and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.
HAL reported that General Dwivedi inspected hangars housing the LCH, Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (RUAV), and ALH. Briefings covered the operational roles and capabilities of these aircraft.
The Indian Army and Air Force have ordered a total of 156 LCH Prachand helicopters. Of these, 90 are designated for the Army and 66 for the Air Force. To date, a limited series production has seen 15 helicopters inducted – 10 with the Indian Air Force and 5 with the Army.
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The Army posted on X that the Chief of Army Staff commended personnel for their dedication, emphasizing continued dominance in the battlespace. The Prachand LCH is specifically designed for high-altitude operations, a crucial element in India's defense strategy.
This visit appears to underscore India's ongoing commitment to developing and integrating domestically produced defense equipment. The emphasis on self-reliance in aerospace technology was noted.
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