HAL is set to deliver the first batch of three Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) to the IAF once acceptance tests are completed. These are part of the 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters approved for the Army and the IAF. The deal for 15 LCH was expected to have been signed in the first quarter of 2021 but has been delayed due to the second wave of the pandemic. The IAF has put forward a requirement for 65 LCH and the Army for 114 helicopters. Presently, IAF operates the older Mi-25/ Mi-35 Russian attack helicopters which are in the process of being phased out and has inducted 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the US. The Army will also start receiving the Apache attack helicopters from early 2023 onwards, six of which have been contracted under an estimated $800 mn deal in February 2020.
