Ladakh- India has deployed two new light combat helicopters, apart from the Apache and Chinook heavy-lift choppers acquired from the US, in Ladakh amidst the ongoing military confrontation with China there.
The twin-engine LCHs are not fully weaponized yet, in the high-altitude region is a show of support for the indigenous choppers ahead of their proposed induction into the armed forces.
“The LCH is the lightest attack helicopter in the world, designed and developed by HAL to meet the specific and unique requirements of Indian armed forces. It reflects the crucial role of HAL in `Atma Nirbhar Bharat’,” said HAL chairman R Madhavan.
“He took off in the LCH from a high-altitude location to a forward area for a simulated attack on a high-altitude target. This was followed by a landing at one of the most treacherous helipads in the region. The LCH successfully demonstrated its quick deployment prowess to forward locations in extreme temperatures,” said HAL.
The LCH is “a potent weapon platform” as its have state-of-the-art systems and highly accurate weapons that which are capable of hitting any type of target by day or night.
Currently Indian LCHs are equipped with 70mm rockets and chin-mounted cannons, do not yet have anti-tank and air-to-air missiles. The LCH, however, has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land at forward bases in the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region, 4,700 meters above sea level with a 500-kg load.
