Indian Light Helicopter Requirements Still Clouded
AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » FEBRUARY 15, 2013 by NEELAM MATHEWS HAL’s light combat helicopter (LCH) was on display at the Aero India show. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov) February 15, 2013, 12:18 PM Indian light helicopter requirements remain subject to a bureaucratic procurement process. The program to acquire 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters ( RSH ) is close to being scrapped, but Hindustan Aeronautics ( HAL ) has inked a contract for 187 light utility helicopters ( LUH ). HAL is also proposing the LUH for a new Indian Navy requirement. Meanwhile, HAL continues to develop its light combat helicopter ( LCH ), which first flew in March 2010 . The RSH program was supposed to replace 230 aging Chetaks (Aerospatiale SA316 Alouette III ) and Cheetahs ( SE316B Alouette II ). The single-engine Eurocopter AS550C3 and twin-engine Ka...