Army’s LCH Prachand Marks Milestone With Inaugural Firing Of 70mm Rocket

Officials say that the Indian Army’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) “Prachand” fired 70mm rockets successfully on Monday, both during the day and at night. They said the shots were fired at a shooting range near Likabali in Assam.

“The inaugural firing of 70mm rocket and 20mm turret guns of Light Combat Helicopter #LCH Prachand, was successfully executed, both by day and night,” the Army stated on ‘X’.

“Lt Gen AK Suri, DG Army Aviation witnessed the firing from the leading helicopter of the three attack helicopter formation for real-time validation of the Armament capability of an LCH Squadron,” it stated.

The 5.8-tonne twin-engine LCH was made by the government-run aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). It has a number of different attack systems and can destroy enemy tanks, bunkers, drones, and other assets in high-altitude areas.

This helicopter is modern and stealthy, has strong armor, and can launch devastating night attacks. It is even fully equipped to work in Siachen, which is the world’s highest war.

As a result of its speed, maneuverability, long range, high altitude performance, and ability to fight in all weather, the LCH can be used for a variety of tasks, such as combat search and rescue (CSAR), destruction of enemy air defense (DEAD), and counter-insurgency (CI).

There are also times when the helicopter is used to fight insurgencies in jungles and cities, as well as to help ground troops.

Aside from fast-moving planes, it can also be used against enemy remotely operated aircraft (RPAs).

There were LCH Prachands in both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force by the end of last year.