Army Aviation to Induct Light Combat Helicopters and Apache Helicopters
- Army Aviation Corps will induct indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Apache attack helicopters by 2024.
Key highlights
- Cheetah and Chetak helicopters: Suitable for high-altitude areas, need to be replaced.
- 70% of them are over 30 years old.
- LUH: Designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Air Force will also raise its first LCH squadron shortly.
- Deal with Russia for 200 Ka-226T utility helicopters has been stuck over indigenisation issues.
- Can be cancelled with availability of LUH and global situation.
LCH squadron
- Recently Army raised its first LCH squadron in Bengaluru.
- Cabinet Committee had sanctioned procurement of 39 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the U.S.
- August 2021: Army Aviation got control of Army’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), which were earlier under Artillery.
- Army has over 30 Herons UAVs procured from Israel.
- Army Aviation currently operates around 190 Cheetah, Chetak and Cheetal helicopters, with five of them being over 50 years old.
Prelims Take Away
- Light Combat Helicopter
- Cheetah Helicopters
- Chetak Helicopters
- Cheetal Helicopters
- Apache attack Helicopters
- Heron’s UAV\LCH Squadron