With increased tensions along the Himalayan frontier with China, the Indian armed forces need a whopping 1,000 helicopters of various types over the next decade as these aid in rapid deployment of troops, arms and equipment in times of crises….
With increased tensions along the Himalayan frontier with China, the Indian armed forces need a whopping 1,000 helicopters of various types over the next decade as these aid in rapid deployment of troops, arms and equipment in times of crises.
The signing of a contract between the Ministry of Defence and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Friday to make 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) is a significant step for the domestic industry.
The LCH builds on the two decades of experience that the HAL has had with making 290 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) with multiple variants.
The ‘Shakti engine’ that powers the ALH since 2009 is also fitted on the LCH. The engine allows the copter to carry out combat operations at 21,500 feet, which implies that it can hit at intruders, their camps and equipment in the Himalayas.
According to the Rs 62,700 crore contract, HAL – a public sector undertaking – is mandated to start deliveries of the LCH in 2028 and complete the supply of the entire lot by 2033. For combat operations, the IAF also has 22 of the Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the US. The ageing Mi-25 and Mi-35 – sourced from Russia in the 1980s — are also in small numbers.
The LCH is only a part of the arsenal of armed forces – the Army, IAF, Navy and the Coast Guard.
- The Ministry of Defence has recently signed a contract for 156 Light Combat Helicopters with HAL.
- The three services also need 484 light-utility helicopters (LUH) to replace Cheetah/Chetak fleet — (259 for the Army, 125 for the IAF and 100 for the Navy)
- Besides, there is a requirement of 419 IMRH copters, planned to be deployed as the prime medium-weight category copter
Two other projects – the light utility helicopter (LUH) and the Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) — are at different stages of development. These two type of copters, along with the LCH and the ongoing production of the ALH, will set the benchmark for self-reliance in military aviation and open up the export market.
However, much will depend upon how quickly the HAL can produce these copters. The Ministry of Defence needs 100 copters of various types every year. Meanwhile, private sector manufacturers are waiting in the wings.
For its requirement of heavy cargo, the IAF has 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook; for the medium-weight category, the IAF has about 250 Russian Mi-17 copters.
The armed forces plan to use IMRH as the prime medium-weight category copter and have set a target for conducting its first flight by 2027. Currently, they require 419 such copters.
Planned as a 13-ton multi-role helicopter, the IMRH will have two versions – one for the IAF and a second version called the DBMRH (Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter) for the Navy.
The HAL and French defence major Safran had, in August last year, signed an airframer contract, to commence joint design, development, manufacturing, supply and support of a new generation high power engine named ‘Aravalli’ for the IMRH. Its engines will be designed to operate in diverse and challenging environments. The IMRH will also have scope in the civil market for offshore operations and VVIP transport.
HAL-Safran joint venture has also produced more than 500 of the Shakti engines. The French firm had also allowed the transfer of technology of ‘forging and castings’ for the Shakti Engine in 2023.
Additionally, the three services need 484 light-utility helicopters (LUH) to replace Cheetah/Chetak fleet of helicopters. The Army requires 259, the IAF needs 125 and the Navy needs around 100 such helicopters. Cheetah/Chetak helicopters are based on the 1950s-designed Alouette Aérospatiale 315B Lama of France.
These light-utility helicopters are undergoing the process of last mile certifications. The HAL has made six of the LUH, of which trials have already been done.
Each weighs three tonnes and is powered by a single turbo shaft engine, Ardiden 1U, from the France-based Safran Helicopter Engine (SHE). The LUH is indigenously designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre of the HAL, which received the initial operational clearance for the Indian Army from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) way back in February 2021.
It is equipped with a glass cockpit and the state-of-the-art health and usage monitoring system and is designed for various utility and armed roles.
War-like stores have been recovered from the encounter site where a group of heavily armed ultras engaged in a gunfight with security forces in the Ghati Juthana area of Kathua district, the Army has reported. The Army confirmed that two…
War-like stores have been recovered from the encounter site where a group of heavily armed ultras engaged in a gunfight with security forces in the Ghati Juthana area of Kathua district, the Army has reported.
The Army confirmed that two terrorists had been eliminated. The Rising Star Corps of the Army stated, “Relentless operations since March 27 have led to the elimination of two terrorists and the recovery of war-like stores. The operation is ongoing.”
The remaining terrorists are believed to have escaped from the site, triggering a high alert across the region, particularly in Udhampur and Doda, which share a border with Kathua. Search operations have been extended to new areas by the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF in an effort to locate the remaining terrorists.
Initially, it was believed that three ultras had been neutralised, but sources later clarified that one of the bodies was that of a missing policeman who had died during the encounter. From the UAV footage, the body was mistakenly identified as that of a militant.
Search operations have been launched in Billawar of Kathua and Basantgarh of Udhampur district, where it is believed that the terrorists may have taken refuge after fleeing the encounter site. The region is densely forested and contains natural caves, which are often used by ultras for hiding.
Security forces suspect that at least two terrorists have fled the scene with their weapons. Lt. General Navin Sachdeva, GOC of White Knight Corps, visited Basantgarh on Saturday to assess the security situation. He also discussed counter-insurgency strategies with officials.
Four policemen, including Tariq Ahmed of Reasi, Jaswant Singh of Hiranagar in Kathua, Balwinder Singh Chib of Kana Chak, Kathua, and Jagbir Singh of Khour in Akhnoor, Jammu, lost their lives while fighting the highly trained Pakistani ultras.
In light of the Navratri festival, security at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi has also been heightened, as thousands of devotees from across the country are expected to visit in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Kathua police have strongly denied rumours spread on social media about the snatching of weapons from the policemen, who were killed during the encounter.
“It is categorically informed that these claims of weapon snatching are false. All weapons and belongings of the martyrs have been recovered,” the police informed.
“It is the terrorists who have run away leaving their weapons and kits behind due to the relentless and fearless action of SOG Kathua.” the police added.
During the wreath-laying ceremony, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat emphasised that the loss would not be compensated by words but by actions. “Neither the intent of the J&K Police has weakened nor is our goal distant. Our objective is clear, and so is our determination. There is no lack of passion, as J&K Police is the only force in the country writing its history in golden words through bravery and sacrifice.”
Questions police about number of FIRs registered across Patiala district during period
Punjab’s attempt to justify the delay in FIR registration in an Army officer assault case by citing farmers’ protests—among other reasons—backfired in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Bench questioned the police about the number of FIRs registered across Patiala district during the period.
The State’s effort to establish the police’s bona fides as a fair investigating agency by citing action against officers also failed to convince the court.
The Bench asked the State to categorically explain whether the action taken so far was sufficient.
“You are not obliging anyone by placing the cops under suspension,” the Bench asserted.
In his detailed order, Justice Sandeep Moudgil also asked the State to file an affidavit specifying: “How many FIRs were registered in Patiala district during the period when the district police was on high alert on account of farmers’ protests at Khanauri border and Shambhu border of Patiala from March 18 to 23?
The Bench clarified that the query was raised because the State had cited farmers’ protests as an excuse for the FIR delay. Justice Moudgil also asked the State to explain “whether it would suffice to place four accused police officials under suspension and transfer four inspectors out of the bounds and jurisdiction of the Patiala district police?”
The court also directed the State to explain why the officers were at the parking area, what their assigned duty was, and where they were coming from at that hour. The court also rejected the State’s prayer for additional time to prove its bonafides by carrying out a fair investigation in place. “You are only buying time…., Justice Moudgil asserted.
The court referred to the State’s submissions that the FIR was registered for attempt to murder and other offences, an SIT had already been constituted, the incident was “unfortunate” and the State was under an obligation and committed to conduct a fair and transparent investigation.
Justice Moudgil, at the same time, asserted the period before the FIR’s registration was material. “It shows no faith in the investigating agency. What will you do in future is unknown…. You may, or may not, do the needful,” the court observed.
Alleging a brutal assault by Punjab Police officers and subsequent manipulation of the investigation, Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath had moved the High Court, seeking a transfer of the probe to the CBI or an independent agency.
Col Bath, serving at a “sensitive post under the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India”, stated that he and his son were “brutally” attacked on the night of March 13-14 in Patiala. He accused four Inspector-rank Punjab Police officers and their armed subordinates of attacking them without provocation, snatching his official ID card and mobile phone, and issuing threats of fake encounters—all in public view and under CCTV surveillance.
The petitioner submitted the local police allegedly failed to take action despite the gravity of the offence. Distress calls to senior officials were ignored. Instead of registering an FIR on his complaint, the police lodged a bogus FIR under ‘affray’ against unknown persons based on a third-party complaint. The officer’s family had to approach senior police officials and even the Governor of Punjab before a subsequent FIR was registered—eight days later.
Col Bath alleged that the accused officers allegedly made video calls to the petitioner’s wife during this period, admitting to the offence, claiming they were intoxicated, and pressuring her to compromise. Eyewitnesses reportedly filed sworn affidavits identifying the officers involved, but the police failed to arrest or interrogate them. They continued to suppress evidence and delay justice.
Col Bath referred to a clear conflict of interest, manipulation, and bias before contending that a fair and impartial investigation was impossible under the Punjab Police. Given his position in a national security agency, he warned of a potential breach of classified information. The petition urged the court to transfer the case to the CBI or another independent agency to prevent a miscarriage of justice and restore public confidence in the rule of law. It was also argued that failure to do so could lead to the demoralisation of armed forces, institutional breakdown, and irreparable harm to public trust.
Two other SIT members, SSP Sandeep Malik and SP Manpreet Singh, will remain
The Punjab government has replaced the head of the special investigation team (SIT) in the Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath assault case.
ADGP AS Rai has been appointed in place of ADGP SPS Parmar, who was posted as Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau on Thursday.
Two other SIT members, SSP Sandeep Malik and SP Manpreet Singh, will remain.
This is the fourth change in the investigation team.
Earlier, three investigation teams were formed, but changed due to intervention by the High Court or opposition by the victim’s family.Twelve cops have been booked for assaulting the Army Colonel and his son.
