DBT Bureau
Bengaluru, 17 June 2024
In another boost to self-reliance ambitions in defence sector, state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday said that the company has received Request for Proposal (RFP) for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (Prachand) from Defence Ministry.
“We would like to inform that, Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by the Ministry of Defence for procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopter,” the company said in an exchange filing.
Out of the total 156 LCH procurement proposals, 90 LCH ‘Prachand’ are to be procured for the Army Aviation Corps, while 66 are for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The tender is likely to be worth around Rs 45,000 crore, which if won will provide a big boost to the earnings of HAL.
Indian armed forces already operate a fleet of around 15 LCH Prachand, which is designed, developed, and manufactured indigenously in India. The HAL, which has done extensive test flying of the LCH, has said that it’s the only combat helicopter that can operate at an altitude of 160,400 ft.
HAL is executing several critical projects in the defence sector, which are critical for reducing the dependence of India on arms imports. The Bengaluru-headquartered PSU will deliver the first of the 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK1A ‘Tejas’ to the IAF next month. In February 2021, the IAF had placed orders for 83 LCA MK1A in a deal worth Rs 48,000 crore.
The Indian government has already issued another RFP for procurement of 97 LCA MK1A, which is likely to replace the ageing fleet of Mig 21 fighter jets.
HAL is also playing a significant role in boosting exports from India as the country aims to achieve Rs 50,000 crore defence exports in five years. The defence exports from India touched Rs 21,000 crore, around $2.63 billion in FY24. Many countries have evinced interest in buying Tejas in recent years.
