Overview
- Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi visited HAL’s Bengaluru facilities and took a sortie in the Prachand after reviewing Army Aviation projects on site.
- The Army said the flight affirmed the helicopter’s combat readiness and its role in controlling the low-altitude airspace now crowded by drones and loitering munitions.
- The defence ministry has approved Rs 62,700 crore for 156 LCHs, with 90 for the Army and 66 for the Air Force, and 15 already in limited service.
- HAL said most procurement steps are complete and that parts orders are largely placed, with initial serial deliveries planned to begin in 2027–28.
- Prachand is built for high mountains above 6,000 metres and carries a 20 mm cannon, 70 mm rockets, and Helina anti-tank and air-to-air missiles for close support in tough terrain.