Defence
In A Message To China, Missamari-Based LCH Prachand Attack Squadron Demonstrates Firepower With Inaugural Test Firing Of 70 mm Rockets, Guns
Prachand, the Light Combat Helicopter with its 70 mm rocket pods on the two inboard pylons and 20 mm Nexter turret gun below the nose. (Twitter)
In a message to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Indian Army's light combat helicopter (LCH) Prachand squadron has conducted inaugural test firing of its 70 mm rockets and 20 mm nexter turret gun.
According to reports, this test firing was carried out by the LCH squadron based at the Missamari station in Assam.
Lt Gen AK Suri, DG Army Aviation, witnessed the firing from the leading helicopter of the three attack helicopter formation for real-time validation of the armament capability of the LCH Squadron.
The LCH squadron, designated as 351 Army Aviation (AA), was inducted into the Missamari station in late 2022 and operates five LCH Prachand attack helicopters.
IAF and army are looking to buy 156 additional LCH Prachand helicopters, from which 90 are intended for the army and the rest 66 for the IAF.
These LCH Prachand helicopters, based in Missamari, are primarily intended to counter any potential Chinese aggression in the northeastern sector, ranging from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh.
The Indian and Chinese PLA armies have been in a standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since the clashes at Galwan Valley in June 2020. The standoff has now entered its fourth year.
It stands as the only helicopter in the world with the capability to operate at altitudes above 5,000 to 6,000 metres while carrying a substantial offensive payload.
It holds the distinction of executing successful landings at forward camps situated at Siachen, an altitude of 4,700 metres above sea level, while carrying a 500 kg payload.
