Cabinet clears 15 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters for Rs 3,887 cr

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met in New Delhi on Wednesday and approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) for Rs 3,887 crore, or about Rs 260 crore each. The CCS also approved the creation of infrastructure worth Rs 377 crore.

“Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured, state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approximately 45 per cent indigenous content by value, which will progressively increase to more than 55 per cent for the SP (series production) version,” announced a Ministry of Defence (MoD) press release today.

Beyond the preliminary order for 15 LSP helicopters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the army have jointly projected a SP requirement for 162 LCHs: 65 for the IAF and 97 for the army.