MoD signs ₹62,700 crore contracts with HAL for 156 LCH Prachand helicopters
The Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth ₹62,700 crore with HAL in New Delhi on 28 March 2025 for 156 Light Combat Helicopters Prachand: 66 for the IAF and 90 for the Army.
Summary
The Ministry of Defence signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 28 March 2025 for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, with training and associated equipment, worth ₹62,700 crore excluding taxes. Of these, 66 will go to the Indian Air Force and 90 to the Indian Army; deliveries begin in the third year and will be spread over five years. The LCH is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter and can operate above 5,000 metres. Indigenous content is planned to exceed 65%, involving over 250 domestic firms, mostly MSMEs, and over 8,500 jobs. The ministry also signed a contract with Metrea Management to wet-lease one KC-135 flight refuelling aircraft, the first such aircraft wet-leased by the IAF, to train IAF and Navy pilots. With these, MoD contracts in 2024-25 reached 193, worth over ₹2,09,050 crore.
Key facts
- Date
- 28 March 2025
- Value
- ₹62,700 crore (excluding taxes)
- Helicopters
- 156 LCH Prachand
- Split
- 66 IAF, 90 Army
- Deliveries
- From third year, over five years
- Altitude
- Can operate above 5,000 m
- Indigenous content
- Over 65% planned; 250+ domestic firms
- Also signed
- Wet lease of one KC-135 refueller from Metrea (first for IAF)
- MoD contracts 2024-25
- 193, over ₹2,09,050 crore
Practice MCQs 4 questions
How many Light Combat Helicopters Prachand did the Ministry of Defence contract from HAL on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 156
The two contracts cover 156 LCH Prachand helicopters worth ₹62,700 crore.
How are the 156 LCH Prachand helicopters ordered on 28 March 2025 split between the services?
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Correct answer: B — 66 IAF and 90 Army
The first contract is for 66 LCHs for the IAF and the second for 90 LCHs for the Army.
Along with the LCH contracts on 28 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Metrea Management for:
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Correct answer: D — Wet lease of one flight refuelling aircraft
MoD signed a contract with Metrea Management to wet-lease one KC-135 flight refuelling aircraft to train IAF and Navy pilots in air-to-air refuelling.
Consider the following statements about the LCH Prachand, as stated by the Ministry of Defence on 28 March 2025: 1. It is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter and can operate above 5,000 metres. 2. Indigenous content of over 65% is planned during this procurement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The MoD described the LCH as India's first indigenous combat helicopter able to operate above 5,000 m and planned over 65% indigenous content.