nbsp;As India inducted the first fleet of indigenously built Light Combat Helicopters LCHs Prachand on Monday, defence minister Rajnath Singh hailed the moment as an important milestone in defence production. For a long time, there was a need for attack helicopters amp; during the 1999 Kargil war, its need was felt seriously. The LCH is a result of research amp; development for two decades. And its induction into IAF is an important milestone in defence production, he said at the Jodhpur Air Force Station where the LCHs were inducted.The fleet which comprises four helicopters has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The LHCs are expected to be used primarily for mountain warfare after a requirement for it was felt during the Kargil war in 1999.Besides Singh, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari and other senior military officials were present at the key event.Here are the top quotes from Rajnath s speech:Elaborating on LCH s capability, Rajnath said, It is capable of dodging the enemy, carrying a variety of ammunition, and delivering it to the site quickly.
nbsp;LCH perfectly meets the needs of our armed forces in various terrains and it is an ideal platform for both our Army and Airforce. Air Force has played an important role in the nation s security. Whether it s internal threats or external war, IAF has always strengthened national security with their courage amp; bravery. nbsp;The induction of indigenously developed LCH will increase the efficiency of IAF. Rajnath Singh said the defence of the nation is a top priority, adding that India will soon be among the superpowers. We are fully committed to it. I can say with full confidence that in the coming time, India will be first whenever there is talk of superpowers including military power in the world. He said: Recent Ukrainian conflict or earlier conflicts teach us that heavy weapon systems and platforms, which are unable to move rapidly across the battlefield, have low capability, and become easy targets for the enemy. The timing for the induction of the LCHs could not have been better, said Singh.
The induction of indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters LCH will enhance our capability and will boost defence production. There could not have been a better timing for the induction than Navratri and in the land of warriors, Rajasthan. India witnessed the induction of the first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters or LCHs into the Air Force in Jodhpur in Rajasthan in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Monday. It is an important milestone for the Air Force, said the defence minister at the event. Since independence, the IAF was dependent on foreign attack helicopters. nbsp;The dire need to reduce this dependence was felt during the 1999 Kargil War. This is set to change now, he underlined.The light combat helicopters have been developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, expanding the government s Make in India initiative or Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to the defence sector.
nbsp;Among the top features are all weather combat capability, high altitude performance, agility, maneuverability, and extended range. For better survivability, the choppers have night attack capability and crash worthy landing gear. The induction of LCH provides a unique capability. The helicopter has proved itself in the Himalayan region as well, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said. nbsp;Ahead of the induction process, a prayer ceremony which marked participation of different religions was also performed.Rajnath Singh reached Jodhpur on Monday for the key event. nbsp; I would be in Jodhpur, Rajasthan tomorrow, 3rd October, to attend the Induction ceremony of the first indigenously developed Light Comat Helicopters LCH . The induction of these helicopters will be a big boost to the IAF s combat prowess. Looking forward to it, he had tweeted on Sunday.