The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to formally raise its first unit of indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) in Jodhpur in the first week of October coinciding with Air Force Day on October 8.
About:
Ten LCHs will be inducted in the first batch completing one unit.
The IAF is still working out the total number of LCHs to be acquired, the official stated.
The IAF operates the older Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack helicopters, of which one squadron has been phased out following the induction of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
The existing Mi-35 squadron is in the process of being sent for overhaul which will extend its life by many years.
The Army had already raised its first LCH squadron on June 1 in Bengaluru. The unit will move to the Eastern Command along the Line of Actual Control (LCH) on completion of the raising next year.
The Army plans to acquire 95 LCHs of which seven units, each having 10 helicopters, are planned to be deployed for combat role in the mountains.
The LCH is the first dedicated attack helicopter of the Army, which otherwise operates 75 Rudra helicopters, the weaponised variant of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter.
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