India's combat chopper takes to the skies; induction by 2014

India's first indigenous combat helicopter capable of participating in anti-Naxal and counter terrorism operations on Sunday took to the skies, marking its first official flight at the HAL airport in Bangalore.
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), designed and developed indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in four years since the project began in 2006, is likely to be ready for induction by the Army and Air Force before 2014.
Witnessed by IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal PK Barbora and Defence Production Secretary RK Singh, the 10-minute flight display caught the attention of those present at the venue, with the 5.8-tonne chopper showcasing its manoeuvrability and stability, including one of the most difficult moves --reverse slide.
Defence Minister AK Antony and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal PV Naik did not attend the event in view of the tragic air crash of a civilian flight in Mangalore yesterday which claimed 158 lives.
"It is a red letter day for not only HAL, but the whole nation. I am quite positive the aircraft will meet all IAF requirements in this class of helicopters. The first display has been superb," Barbora said at a function soon after witnessing the maiden flight of the LCH.
He said very few countries around the world had the capability to indigenise a helicopter of this class, but at the same time cautioned HAL that it must learn from its past mistakes and not repeat them.
Barbora said though the helicopter was bulky and heavy, it was a versatile aircraft and the problems with its weight would be solved as years go by.
Singh, in his address, said LCH was a "truly fine" machine and the indigenous development of the helicopter had both strategic and economic reasons.
He said it was important for a country to be independent of other nations when it comes to its defence production and research and development capabilities.
Moreover, import of weapons led to job creation in other country, as India spent billions every year to equip its armed forces.
"I would like to set a deadline of four years from now for the LCH to be inducted into the armed forces and I feel it is a reasonable time frame for HAL to achieve," he added.
HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak said the Defence PSU had already bagged an order for supplying 65 of these combat helicopters to the IAF and the Army was showing keen interests in buying a large number for its Army Aviation wing.
The IAF currently operates two squadrons of combat helicopters comprising Russian-origin Mi-25s and Mi-35s.