LCH Prachand: The Indian Army will station the indigenously built Prachand light combat helicopters (LCH) at its Missamari base in Assam’s Sonitpur district. The LCH Prachand is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL.
The move will significantly strengthen its military capabilities on the eastern front.
Missamari is home to one of India’s Army Aviation Brigades. The Indian Army’s other two aviation brigades are located in Jodhpur and Leh.
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These helicopters will operate in the forward regions along India’s international border with China in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) excels in traditional combat helicopter roles such as SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense), escorting to special heliborne operations, combat search and rescue, and anti-tank and anti-infantry operations.
The induction of LCH ‘Prachanda’ is a special moment for the collective resolve of 130 crore Indians to make our nation strong and self-reliant in the defence sector. Congratulations to every Indian! https://t.co/KEGe7aXPmL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2022
It is a 5.8-ton design with low visual, aural, radar, and infrared (IR) signatures. It has canted panels to reduce radar cross section and an IR suppressor to reduce IR signature.
The Indian Army will deploy four Prachand helicopters, which will be delivered by the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) by the end of October.
They will work in the forward regions of Arunachal Pradesh, India’s international border with China.
The Indian Army’s Missamari Army Aviation Brigade was formed in March 2021. The base is home to three squadrons in total.
Notably, Chinese activity has increased in the eastern sector along the border in Arunachal Pradesh.
Missamari is home to one of India’s Army Aviation Brigades, which was established in March 2021. The Indian Army’s other two aviation brigades are located in Jodhpur and Leh.
In Assam, the Missamari army aviation brigade has been tasked with increasing surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern sector.
