MoD Places Order For Combat Helicopters To HAL Worth Rs 62,700 Cr

New Delhi, Mar 29 (KNN) The Ministry of Defence announced on March 28, 2025, the signing of two significant contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), known as Prachand. 

The contracts, valued at Rs 62,700 crore excluding taxes, include associated training and equipment provisions.

The first contract encompasses the delivery of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force, while the second contract provides for 90 LCHs to the Indian Army. 

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third year of the contract and will continue over a five-year period, substantially enhancing the combat capabilities of India's Armed Forces, particularly in high-altitude operations.

The LCH represents a milestone in India's defense manufacturing capabilities as the nation's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter capable of operating at altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters. 

The procurement plan aims to achieve over 65 percent indigenous content during execution, engaging more than 250 domestic companies, predominantly MSMEs, and generating approximately 8,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

In a separate development, the Ministry signed a contract with Metrea Management for the wet leasing of a Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) to provide air-to-air refuelling training for Indian Air Force and Navy pilots. 

Metrea will deliver a KC135 Aircraft within six months, marking the first FRA to be wet leased by the IAF.

These recent agreements bring the total number of contracts signed by the Defence Ministry during the 2024-25 fiscal year to 193, with a cumulative value exceeding Rs 2,09,050 crore—the highest annual figure recorded and nearly double the previous record. 

Notably, domestic industry partners account for 177 contracts (92 percent of the total), representing Rs 1,68,922 crore (81 percent of the total value), underscoring India's commitment to defense indigenisation.

(KNN Bureau)