Successful Roll out and the first “Official Test flight” of India’s Light combat Aircraft (LCH) happened on a Sunday morning of 23rd May, Indian Air force which already operates Mi-35 “Hind “for over two decade now will also be inducting some new Attack Helicopter to replace them soon for which Tender to leading manufactures have already been send, IAF has already ordered 65 of LCH, but big orders are expected from Indian Army.
Indian Army till date has not operated any Combat Helicopters in its long history but have worked with Air forces Mi-35 “Hind “in operations in Srilanka and in UN missions, Retired Army officer Prasad chawan told idrw.org “We were impressed by the Hind in various operations it was involved and we all ways wanted some in our fleet”, he also added “Army had asked for induction or purchases of this attack choppers for Army aviation but Air force could object to our proposal”.
But local development of LCH will mean that Army aviation will also have them, Army is excited about therecent development and Army orders for LCH will be more than double of what air force has put, Chawan explained “Mostly Attack helicopters are operated by Army aviation to provide cover fire for troops landing over enemy territory, air support and also has a Tank buster for moving field regiments” he also pointed out that Cobra Gunship in Pakistan is operated by Pakistani Army.
