HAL gets RFP for combat choppers from IAF, Army
Bengaluru Dec 22 (IANS) State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Friday said it has received a Request for Proposal (RFP) for supply of 15 Light Combat Helicopters from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
"We have received a RFP for 15 limited series of LCH from the IAF and Indian Army today (Friday) " said the city-based HAL in a statement here.
The Defence Acquisition Council had in 2016 cleared 10 LCH for the air force and 5 for the army.
Designed and developed by HAL the 5.5-tonne class chopper is powered by two Shakti aero engines and has many features of the indigenous Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv .
"The LCH has a sleek and narrow fuselage tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear self-sealing fuel tanks armour protection and low visibility that makes it lethal agile and survivable " said the statement.
The company has till date built four technology demonstrators of the LCH for flight testing. One of them also landed in forward bases at Siachen located 5 400 metres above sea level.
"The LCH also participated in the IAF s Iron Fist exercise in March 2016 and displayed its rocket firing capabilities in weaponized configuration " it said.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who was then holding additional charge of Defence launched the LCH production here on August 26.
The helicopter also has day/night targeting systems for the crew including the helmet pointed sight and electro-optical pod.
"The LCH is fitted with self-protection suite comprising radar laser missile warning systems and counter-measures dispensing system " said HAL adding it can conduct operational roles even under adverse weather conditions at different altitudes from sea level hot weather desert and cold weather.
As a derivative of the ALH platform the LCH was certified by defence regulator Cemilac on October 16 2015 after extensive performance trials in all-weather conditions.
Known for its agility the tandem twin-seat chopper is equipped for day-and-night combat operations with digital camouflage system for stealth actions.
--IANS
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