HAL LCH Prachand

India's indigenous two-seat light attack helicopter, developed for armed reconnaissance, escort and anti-armor missions with an emphasis on high-altitude operations.

Overview

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter, named Prachand in Indian service, is a twin-engine attack helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and Indian Army. Its operational rationale is closely tied to India's mountainous northern frontiers: the aircraft combines a narrow tandem-seat attack-helicopter layout with technology derived from the Dhruv helicopter family and performance intended for deployment from high-altitude bases. The Indian Air Force formally inducted the type in October 2022, according to Janes.

Prachand is smaller than a heavy attack helicopter and is intended to perform armed reconnaissance, escort, anti-armor and limited air-to-air missions. Its advertised weapon set includes a 20 mm gun, 70 mm rockets and guided missiles, although the weapons available to an individual aircraft depend on its production standard and the status of integration.

Development

India's requirement for a high-altitude attack helicopter emerged from the 1999 Kargil conflict, during which the country's available attack helicopters could not operate effectively at the required elevations. HAL subsequently adapted experience from the Dhruv program while developing a narrower airframe, tandem cockpit, armor protection, crashworthy landing gear and reduced-signature features for the new aircraft, as summarized by the Indian Express.

The first prototype flew in 2010. India approved a limited-series procurement of 15 helicopters in 2022 for allocation between the Air Force and Army, and the Air Force inducted Prachand that October. A contemporary induction profile described the type as the first dedicated attack helicopter designed and manufactured in India.

In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence placed follow-on contracts with HAL for 156 additional helicopters. This order moved Prachand from a small limited-series fleet toward a substantially larger production program, although the final delivery pace and resulting annual production rate remain dependent on contract execution.

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