HAL Prachand

The HAL Prachand, developed as the Light Combat Helicopter, is a multi-role light attack helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Army Aviation Corps. The Kargil War of 1999 showed that the Indian forces lacked an armed helicopter able to operate at high altitude, and the programme grew from that need. It draws heavily on the Dhruv and, like it, is powered by two HAL and Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft engines, here fitted with infrared suppressors. The first technology demonstrator flew on 29 March 2010, and on 3 October 2022 the helicopter was formally inducted into the Air Force and named Prachand.