HAL Prachand - Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

[LondonParisTokyo]

What is taking so long for orders to be placed?

 

[FalconZero]

What is taking so long for orders to be placed?

Money + Delay in Indigenous ATGM....

 

[AZTEC]

What is taking so long for orders to be placed?

Because of the bureaucratic setup.

There are multiple levels which needs to be cleared, from IAF headquarters to MoD directors, joint-secretaries, additional-secretaries etc who are part of multiple committees, to the minister-level DAC to final cabinet approval by the CCS headed by PM.

But the good news is that most of the process is already completed and HAL has already started manufacturing the initial batch of LCH. So rest assured, the contract will be signed soon.

 

[avknight1408]

 

[AZTEC]

Rare photo angle showing belly of LCH.

Credit: Praneeth Franklin

 

[captain steel]

What are the chances that LCH can get armour on Jaws like apache? how will it look then?

 

[FalconSlayers]

What are the chances that LCH can get armour on Jaws like apache? how will it look then?

First HAL should get a fire control radar for LCH then some armour, Apache has longbow but our kanjoos ministry bought 12 longbow fire control radars for 22 Apaches but army will have all Apaches equipped with Longbow radars.

 

[AZTEC]

Finally, we have progress on ATGM for LCH. More such tests may be conducted before IAF/IA formally orders LCH.

 

[Bleh]

Finally, we have progress on ATGM for LCH. More such tests may be conducted before IAF/IA formally orders LCH.

SANT nay not be for LCH... Not totally sure, but there's a chance its only for Mi-35.

They want to keep those big lumbering targets as far away as possible.

 

[Dessert Storm]

The word going around is..... In 2021, 60 Rudras and 15 LCH LSP would be equipped with Sant.

 

[FalconSlayers]

SANT nay not be for LCH... Not totally sure, but there's a chance its only for Mi-35.

They want to keep those big lumbering targets as far away as possible.

Yes as HELINA is dedicated for Helis, why would it be for LCH or Rudra, seems like SANT is for Apache and Hinds

 

[Killbot]

SANT nay not be for LCH... Not totally sure, but there's a chance its only for Mi-35.

They want to keep those big lumbering targets as far away as possible.

When are we retiring the hinds?

 

[Bleh]

When are we retiring the hinds?

Don't know... They can still be used as SANT launching platforms, without their age become to much of a factor.

 

[Dessert Storm]

Don't know... They can still be used as SANT launching platforms, without their age become to much of a factor.

As long as we are short on launch platforms, put the SANTs (Dhruvastra too) on as many varieties as possible.

 

[FalconSlayers]

Don't know... They can still be used as SANT launching platforms, without their age become to much of a factor.

Hind won’t be retired any soon, they are very potent that’s why IAF never retired it and will probably upgrade their Hinds

Hind can do things only Hind can do so it won’t be retired soon, even Russia uses it as its main Attack chopper as IAF has need of heavy attack helicopters as well which 22 Apaches won’t fulfil.

For sure it will be upgraded heavily like this South African super Hind.

Hinds are important, thats why Porkistan also bought them despite being more than 50 years old helo.

 

[AZTEC]

As far as I know, SANT is for ALH Rudra Mk. IV and LCH.

News reports say that the Apaches are going to replace Mi-35s. Doing so would make sense because all aircraft have a lifespan associated with their airframe. Beyond this lifespan, maintenance and operating costs may become increasingly unsustainable.

Sources:

Indian Air Force flight tests Stand-Off Anti-Tank (SANT) Missile successfully. – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

India's Apache helicopter has edge over Russian Mi-35 in e-warfare, missile payload

The Apache combat helicopter's capability at electronic warfare, along with its modern firepower, is what is expected to provide an edge to Indian armed forces in a battlefield. As per defence experts, the Apache also scores over the Russian Mi-35 chopper, which it is set to replace, in its...

www.indiatvnews.com

 

[Bleh]

As far as I know, SANT is for ALH Rudra Mk. IV and LCH.

News reports say that the Apaches are going to replace Mi-35s. Doing so would make sense because all aircraft have a lifespan associated with their airframe. Beyond this lifespan, maintenance and operating costs may become increasingly unsustainable.

Sources:

Indian Air Force flight tests Stand-Off Anti-Tank (SANT) Missile successfully. – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

India's Apache helicopter has edge over Russian Mi-35 in e-warfare, missile payload

The Apache combat helicopter's capability at electronic warfare, along with its modern firepower, is what is expected to provide an edge to Indian armed forces in a battlefield. As per defence experts, the Apache also scores over the Russian Mi-35 chopper, which it is set to replace, in its...

www.indiatvnews.com

Impossible... Apaches are going to Army. Mi-35 belongs to AF.
Even in the link you shared, it confirms that SANT was tested from Mi-35. It was tested once before, that too from same platform.

So maybe you know wrong, atleast there's been no indication of you being right.

 

[Killbot]

Impossible... Apaches are going to Army. Mi-35 belongs to AF.
Even in the link you shared, it confirms that SANT was tested from Mi-35. It was tested once before, that too from same platform.

So maybe you know wrong, atleast there's been no indication of you being right.

22 Apaches are going to the AF. Again, it doesn’t make sense that they would test it on hind if they don't intend to keep it. Also, AF has got only 15 hinds...

 

[Bleh]

22 Apaches are going to the AF. Again, it doesn’t make sense that they would test it on hind if they don't intend to keep it. Also, AF has got only 15 hinds...

Right. Well, let's see.

 

[FalconSlayers]

Right. Well, let's see.

Army will buy 40 more Apaches (RUMINT) after 6 and 114 LCH and 60 Rudra whereas IAF will use 22 Apaches 65 LCH and 16 Rudra helicopters.