India's combat chopper takes to the skies; induction by 2014

N C Bipindra
Bangalore, May 23 (PTI) India's first indigenous combat
helicopter capable of participating in anti-Naxal and counter
terrorism operations Sunday took to the skies, marking its
first official flight at the HAL airport here.
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), designed and developed
indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in
four years since the project began in 2006, is likely to be
ready for induction by the Army and Air Force before 2014.
Witnessed by Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal P K
Barbora and Defence Production Secretary R K Singh, the
10-minute flight display caught the attention of those present
at the venue, with the 5.8-tonne chopper showcasing its
manoeuvrability and stability, including one of the most
difficult moves --reverse slide.
Indian Defence Minister A K Antony and IAF Chief Air
Chief Marshal P V Naik did not attend the event in view of the
tragic air crash of a civilian flight in Mangalore yesterday
which claimed 158 lives.
"It is a red letter day for not only HAL, but the whole
nation. I am quite positive the aircraft will meet all IAF
requirements in this class of helicopters. The first display
has been superb," Barbora said at a function soon after
witnessing the maiden flight of the LCH.
He said very few countries around the world had the
capability to indigenise a helicopter of this class, but at
the same time cautioned HAL that it must learn from its past
mistakes and not repeat them.
Barbora said though the helicopter was bulky and heavy,
it was a versatile aircraft and the problems with its weight
would be solved as years go by.
Singh, in his address, said LCH was a "truly fine"
machine and the indigenous development of the helicopter had
both strategic and economic reasons.
He said it was important for a country to be independent
of other nations when it comes to its defence production and
research and development capabilities.
Moreover, import of weapons led to job creation in other
country, as India spent billions every year to equip its armed
forces.
"I would like to set a deadline of four years from now
for the LCH to be inducted into the armed forces and I feel it
is a reasonable time frame for HAL to achieve," he added.
HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak said the Defence PSU had already
bagged an order for supplying 65 of these combat helicopters
to the IAF and the Army was showing keen interests in buying a
large number for its Army Aviation wing.
The IAF currently operates two squadrons of combat
helicopters comprising Russian-origin Mi-25s and Mi-35s.
(MORE) PTI NCB
MYR


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