Blades Of Change

India’s home-made military helicopters show what’s possible but also how much needs to be done

India’s Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) are about both symboland substance. They have 45% indigenous content by value –which will progressively increase to 55% – and are equipped with HAL’s Shakti engine, developed in collaboration with French engine-maker Safran. Designed for high-altitude areas, the LCH can operate at 20,000 feet and perform combat, search and rescue roles. The helicopters will especially come in handy in boosting our defence infrastructure along the LAC with China. In fact, two LCHs were even flight-tested in eastern Ladakh in 2020 amid the military confrontation with Beijing.