Attack Helicopters of IAF - LCH Prachand, AH-64E Apache : Updates & Discussions

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HAL plans to produce Apache-like military helicopter in India

In an ambitious project with strategic significance, aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics LtdNSE -5.61 % (HAL) has started ground work to produce a 10 to 12 tonne attack helicopter by 2027 which will be comparable with some of the best medium-lift military choppers globally like the Apache of the Boeing.

Chairman and Managing Director of HAL R Madhavan said the aim of the mega project is to stop import of more than Rs 4 lakh crore worth of military helicopters for the three services in the coming years.

In an interview, Madhavan said the HAL has completed the preliminary design of the helicopter and that initial plan is to produce at least 500 units with the first prototype set to be ready by 2023 if the government gives the go ahead to the project this year.

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"One major project we are focusing on is to produce a helicopter in 10 to 12 tonnes category to replace the Mi-17 fleet. It will be an indigenous platform with the potential to manufacture around 500 helicopters. It will stop import of more than Rs 4 lakh crore worth of platforms from foreign countries," he said.

Madhavan said an amount of Rs 9,600 crore will be required for design as well as to produce the prototype of the helicopter.

"If we get the approval in 2020, we will be able to manufacture the first chopper by 2027. We are looking at producing at least 500 helicopters of the variant. It will be a major project we are working on," he said.

A military expert described the project as the biggest by the HAL after development of the Tejas military aircraft.

"We have done the preliminary design. We have also been in discussion with the Air Force and the Navy. The 10-12 tonnes category will have two basic structures on similar platforms. The naval version will have different dimension compared to the one for the Army and the Air Force," Madhavan said on the proposed mega project.

"Like the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) we developed from the Dhruv platform, a similar variant of 10-12 tonnes category can be produced to make it an Apache equivalent," said Madhavan.

The helicopter will be powered by twin engines and will feature blade folding option for ship deck operations. The planned roles for the helicopter will be to support air assault, air transport, combat logistics and combat search and rescue. The chopper will also have a very superior weapons package.

Madhavan said the helicopter will have a huge potential for export.

The Mi-17 helicopters make up the backbone of the IAF's helicopter fleet and they are planned to be phased out by 2032.

The HAL's product range includes a number of helicopter like the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) and multi-role ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) and Chetak choppers.

India is one of the largest importers of arms and military platforms globally. The government has been focusing significantly on promoting defence indigenisation by taking a slew of reform initiatives including liberalising FDI in defence sector.

The Indian Air Force is procuring a total of 22 Apache Guardian attack helicopters from aerospace major Boeing under a multi-billion dollar deal. Additionally, the Army is procuring six Apache helicopters along with weapons systems, a deal for which was sealed during US President Donald Trump's visit to India last week.

HAL plans to produce Apache-like military helicopter in India
Most probably another ORCA
 
Like the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) we developed from the Dhruv platform, a similar variant of 10-12 tonnes category can be produced to make it an Apache equivalent," said Madhavan.

They are talking about imrh and the potential to derive an attach heli based on imrh.

This is just grandiose reporting. We need to build the imrh first and make sure it's up to a good standard. Then we can think of Apache level heli s
 
They are talking about imrh and the potential to derive an attach heli based on imrh.

This is just grandiose reporting. We need to build the imrh first and make sure it's up to a good standard. Then we can think of Apache level heli s
An attack helo based on imrh would be similar to Mi-17 with rocket pods and maybe a gattling gun.

Apache is a whole different ball game and couldn't be based on IMRH since that would be similar to Mi-28. They need to develop a heavy attack variant of the LCH...similar to what China did with their Z-series choppers
 
HAL plans to produce Apache-like military helicopter in India

In an ambitious project with strategic significance, aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics LtdNSE -5.61 % (HAL) has started ground work to produce a 10 to 12 tonne attack helicopter by 2027 which will be comparable with some of the best medium-lift military choppers globally like the Apache of the Boeing.

Chairman and Managing Director of HAL R Madhavan said the aim of the mega project is to stop import of more than Rs 4 lakh crore worth of military helicopters for the three services in the coming years.

In an interview, Madhavan said the HAL has completed the preliminary design of the helicopter and that initial plan is to produce at least 500 units with the first prototype set to be ready by 2023 if the government gives the go ahead to the project this year.

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"One major project we are focusing on is to produce a helicopter in 10 to 12 tonnes category to replace the Mi-17 fleet. It will be an indigenous platform with the potential to manufacture around 500 helicopters. It will stop import of more than Rs 4 lakh crore worth of platforms from foreign countries," he said.

Madhavan said an amount of Rs 9,600 crore will be required for design as well as to produce the prototype of the helicopter.

"If we get the approval in 2020, we will be able to manufacture the first chopper by 2027. We are looking at producing at least 500 helicopters of the variant. It will be a major project we are working on," he said.

A military expert described the project as the biggest by the HAL after development of the Tejas military aircraft.

"We have done the preliminary design. We have also been in discussion with the Air Force and the Navy. The 10-12 tonnes category will have two basic structures on similar platforms. The naval version will have different dimension compared to the one for the Army and the Air Force," Madhavan said on the proposed mega project.

"Like the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) we developed from the Dhruv platform, a similar variant of 10-12 tonnes category can be produced to make it an Apache equivalent," said Madhavan.

The helicopter will be powered by twin engines and will feature blade folding option for ship deck operations. The planned roles for the helicopter will be to support air assault, air transport, combat logistics and combat search and rescue. The chopper will also have a very superior weapons package.

Madhavan said the helicopter will have a huge potential for export.

The Mi-17 helicopters make up the backbone of the IAF's helicopter fleet and they are planned to be phased out by 2032.

The HAL's product range includes a number of helicopter like the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) and multi-role ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) and Chetak choppers.

India is one of the largest importers of arms and military platforms globally. The government has been focusing significantly on promoting defence indigenisation by taking a slew of reform initiatives including liberalising FDI in defence sector.

The Indian Air Force is procuring a total of 22 Apache Guardian attack helicopters from aerospace major Boeing under a multi-billion dollar deal. Additionally, the Army is procuring six Apache helicopters along with weapons systems, a deal for which was sealed during US President Donald Trump's visit to India last week.

HAL plans to produce Apache-like military helicopter in India

Most probably another ORCA
Maybe after IMRH matures. So post 2030. But by then the needs might be different.

South Africans has made Denel Rooivalk out of Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma before.

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Rooivalk_in_flight_%28cropped%29.jpg
 
A heavy attack helicopter is actually a good idea. And HAL has a proven track record at creating such helicopters now, so it's not like ORCA.
IA & IAF still haven't signed the deal for 114 & 64 LCH's respectively. The recently inaugurated production line currently has orders of only 19 LSP LCH's. Luckily none of the forces are considering a light attack variant from a foreign firm, so there is a high probability for IA & IAF to go for numbers in regards to the LCH. But Apache being the most technologically advanced in the world and our forces have their hands on it, it's hard to settle for any less and our known love for foreign maal/kickbacks
 
IA & IAF still haven't signed the deal for 114 & 64 LCH's respectively. The recently inaugurated production line currently has orders of only 19 LSP LCH's. Luckily none of the forces are considering a light attack variant from a foreign firm, so there is a high probability for IA & IAF to go for numbers in regards to the LCH. But Apache being the most technologically advanced in the world and our forces have their hands on it, it's hard to settle for any less and our known love for foreign maal/kickbacks

LCH is being bought to support infantry and for use in the mountains. Apache is needed against armour in the army and against SAMs, other high value targets and also support the army's offensive.

Eventually, as the economy grows and we get more money, an Indian Apache is necessary to fill in the numbers component because it can carry more payload.
 
Apache is a whole different ball game and couldn't be based on IMRH since that would be similar to Mi-28. They need to develop a heavy attack variant of the LCH...similar to what China did with their Z-series choppers

this is from the new report:
"One major project we are focusing on is to produce a helicopter in 10 to 12 tonnes category to replace the Mi-17 fleet. It will be an indigenous platform with the potential to manufacture around 500 helicopters. It will stop import of more than Rs 4 lakh crore worth of platforms from foreign countries," he said.

"Like the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) we developed from the Dhruv platform, a similar variant of 10-12 tonnes category can be produced to make it an Apache equivalent," said Madhavan.

so first step: MI-17 replacement (which is IMRH)
next step: a variant based on IMRH to make an attack helicopter - in the same way as Dhruv/LCH roadmap.

R Madhavan thinks this will be Apache equivalent. and he is HAL chairman/ MD and was with HAL for 36 years.
 
in his defense - he said it will be an "Apache equivalent" - probably meant in the same weight class.
HAL has done a decent job in the rotary wing sector unlike their fixed wing counterpart. If HAL intends to be a design house along with manufacturing, they should outsource all components to private Indian firms and should only act as the lead final integrator
 
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