MoD Signs Contracts Worth Rs 62,700 Crore with HAL for 156 LCH Supply

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Prachand, along with training and other associated equipment worth around Rs. 62,700 crore, excluding taxes. The first contract is for supplying 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the second is for supplying 90 LCHs to the Indian Army. The supply of these helicopters is expected to commence from the third year and will be spread over the next five years. The contracts will enhance the combat capability of the Armed Forces at high altitudes, with LCH being India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter capable of operating at an altitude of over 5000 meters. The contracts will involve over 250 domestic companies, mostly MSMEs, and will generate over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.