By N. C. Bipindra

New Delhi: India‘s Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Mar. 28, 2025, signed two contracts with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), also called Prachand, along with training and other associated equipment worth INR 62,700 crore (US$7.3 billion), excluding taxes.

The two contracts split the Prachand orders between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The army would get 90 LCHs, while the air force would get 66. These capabilities are being built to meet the twin threat from China and Pakistan.

The supply of these helicopters shall commence from the third year since contract signing and will be spread over the next five years. That is, the army and the air force should get the first Prachand delivered in 2028. The entire lost would be delivered by 2033.

“The contracts will enhance the armed forces’ combat capability at high altitudes. LCH is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter that can operate at an altitude of over 5,000 meters,” an MoD statement said.

“This helicopter has many components designed and manufactured in India, and it is planned to achieve an overall indigenous content of over 65 percent during the execution of this procurement.  This will involve over 250 domestic companies, mostly MSMEs, and will generate over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.”

The MoD also signed a contract with Metrea Management for wet leasing of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) to provide air-to-air refuelling training to IAF and Indian Navy pilots. Metrea will provide an FRA (KC135 Aircraft) within six months, the first FRA to be wet-leased by IAF. 

With the signing of these three contracts, the total number of contracts signed by the Ministry of Defence during 2024-25 reaches 193 with an overall contract value exceeding INR 2,09,050 crore (~US$25 billion), which is the highest ever and nearly double the previous highest figure.

“Of these, the contracts to domestic industry are 177 (92 percent) with contract value Rs 1,68,922 crore (~US$20 billion), which is 81 percent,” it said.

NOTE: Defence.Capital is available on Telegram. Please click here to subscribe