Indian Army chief flies in LCH Prachand (Photo: HAL)
New Delhi: The Indian Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday visited state-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru to review indigenous aerospace capabilities and ongoing Army Aviation projects.
The visit showcased key platforms such as the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, along with the upgrade, maintenance and production ecosystems supporting Army Aviation, highlighting India’s growing strength in this critical domain.
During the visit, General Dwivedi undertook a sortie in the LCH Prachand, gaining first-hand experience of its superior performance and combat capabilities.
“The sortie served as a clear affirmation of the platform’s operational effectiveness and its critical role in delivering decisive aerial firepower in the tactical battlefield, while also reinforcing the Indian Army’s continued push towards Aatmanirbharta in defence,” an Indian Army official said.
All about LCH Prachand
The light combat helicopter Prachand is India's first attack helicopter designed and built by the HAL. Think of it as a flying gunship — fast, armed, and built to fight.
What makes it special is that it can fly at very high altitudes — over 6 kilometres above sea level. That means it can operate in the Himalayas, along the China border, where most helicopters struggle to even take off.
It carries missiles, guns, and smart weapons. It can support ground troops in battle, destroy enemy tanks, and scout ahead in dangerous areas.
Why does the Indian Army need it now?
Modern wars are changing. Today's battlefields are full of drones, flying bombs, and unmanned aircraft buzzing low in the sky. Soldiers on the ground cannot ignore the sky above them anymore.
The Prachand is designed exactly for this. It can move quickly through low-altitude airspace, find enemy drones or vehicles, and take them out — giving ground troops a huge advantage.
Recent conflicts around the world have shown that whoever controls the low sky above the battlefield wins. India wants the Prachand to do that job.
General Dwivedi also flew in and reviewed the ALH Dhruv, another HAL helicopter used for transport and rescue.
Both the Dhruv and Prachand are part of the Army's plan to replace older, foreign-made aircraft with machines built right here in India.
What does the Indian Army chief’s sortie mean?
When the Indian Army chief personally flies a machine, it sends a clear message: "We believe in this helicopter. We want more of it." It encourages HAL to produce faster and tells the government to approve more orders.
It also shows that India's push for self-reliance in defence — called Aatmanirbharta — is not just a slogan. The Army is actually using and trusting what India makes.
India requires 156 LCH Prachand
India requires 156 LCH Prachand. Out of these, 90 LCHs are allocated for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force.
The helicopter is armed with 20mm guns, air-to-air missiles, and rocket pods.
