HAL to supply 156 LCHs to Indian Army & Air Force

The Defence Ministry has signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Prachand, along with training and other associated equipment worth 62 thousand 700 crore rupees. The first contract is for the supply of 66 Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Air Force, and the second is forthe  supply of 90 Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Army. 

The Ministry said, the contracts will enhance the combat capability of Armed Forces at high altitudes. Light Combat Helicopters is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter having a capability of operating at an altitude of over five thousand meters. This helicopter has a large number of components designed and



manufactured in India, and it is planned to achieve an overall indigenous content of over 65 per cent during the execution of this procurement. This will involve over 250 domestic companies, mostly MSMEs, and will generate over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs. 

The Ministry has also signed a contract with Metrea Management for the Wet Leasing of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft for providing air-to-air refuelling training to pilots of IAF and Indian Navy. Metrea will provide FRA (KC135 Aircraft) within six months. With the signing of these three contracts, the total number of contracts signed by the Ministry of Defence during 2024-25 reaches 193, with the overall contract value exceeding over two lakh nine thousand crore rupees.