Smruti Deshpande

Four indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), christened Prachanda were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Air Force Station Jodhpur on October 3. The induction ceremony, which began with a Sarva Dharma Puja, was presided over by defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh with CAS ACM Chaudhari and CDS Gen. Anil Chauhan in Jodhpur

The defence minister then formally handed over the first LCH to the air force. Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, while speaking at the event said the helicopter would be inducted into the 143 Helicopter Unit Dhanush of the IAF. This helicopter unit was raised on 1 June 2022. The handing over was followed by a ceremonial water canon salute to the new helicopter. The Indian Army too raised its first LCH Squadron on the same day in Bengaluru. The army was handed over its first the LCH by the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) on 30 September 2022.

Present at the induction ceremony in Jodhpur were Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, Air Marshal Vikram Singh, chairman and managing director, HAL C.B. Ananthakrishnan, senior officials of ministry of defence, IAF and local dignitaries.

The multi role attack helicopter, developed by the HAL is meant to be deployed at high altitude regions. The Cabinet Committee for Security (CCS) led by Prime Mini