Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to spend approximately $1.4 billion in order to procure 64 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) company.The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is a piece of technology, specifically designed and developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in a period of four years. The beginning of the project was in 2006 and the LCH is likely to be inducted in the Army and Air Force by 2014.
This is an offensive helicopters derived from the Advanced Light Helicopter and it is equipped with the most modern weapon, missile systems and crashworthy wheel landing gear. The biggest plus of the LCH is the presence of in-built stealth characteristics which make it the perfect aircraft for special operators.
The design of the LCH allows it to fit in absolutely every anti-armour and anti-infantry role. The aircraft is also capable of operating at high altitudes. The heart of the LCH, are the twin Shakti engineers which were jointly developed by HAL and French Turbomeca. The LCH is capable of achieving a top speed of 268km/h and has a range of 550km thanks to its internal fuel tanks.
