SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a strategic move to counter the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army are set to transform Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) into a dedicated anti-UAV platform by integrating Very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems.
According to information provided to idrw.org both services are keen to procure LCH units equipped with VSHORAD to neutralize long-range Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) and High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAVs, as well as swarm drones and loitering munitions. This development reflects India’s urgent need to address the proliferation of drones in modern warfare, particularly in light of regional threats from Pakistan and China, and aims to enhance the LCH’s versatility as a multi-role combat platform.
The LCH, designed by HAL, is an indigenous attack helicopter optimized for high-altitude operations, with a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, making it ideal for India’s mountainous borders along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC). Powered by two HAL/Turbomeca Shakti engines, the LCH is equipped with a 20mm M621 cannon, 70mm rockets, and air-to-air missiles like the Mistral-2, and is capable of carrying anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) such as the Dhruvastra. Its agility, stealth features, and ability to operate in extreme environments make it a prime candidate for adaptation into an anti-UAV role.
The integration of VSHORAD systems, such as the DRDO-developed laser-guided missile or indigenous variants of systems like the Igla-S or Mistral, will enable the LCH to engage a wide spectrum of aerial threats, from small, low-cost swarm drones to sophisticated MALE and HALE UAVs like China’s CH-4B Rainbow or Pakistan’s Burraq. The VSHORAD’s short-range, high-precision missiles, combined with advanced fire-control radars and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, will allow the LCH to detect and destroy drones at ranges of 6–8 kilometers, offering a cost-effective counter to both individual and swarm threats.
The proliferation of drones and loitering munitions has reshaped modern warfare, as seen in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, where low-cost FPV drones and loitering munitions like the ZALA Lancet have been used to devastating effect. In South Asia, Pakistan’s use of Chinese-supplied CH-4B MALE UAVs and indigenous Burraq drones, alongside reports of swarm drone incursions along India’s western border, has heightened concerns. China’s advanced HALE UAVs, such as the CH-7, capable of penetrating contested airspace, pose an additional challenge along the LAC.
India has faced over 500-600 drone attacks from Pakistan in 2025 alone, with indigenous anti-drone systems neutralizing many threats, according to Fortune India. The IAF and Army recognize that traditional air defense systems, such as the Akash or S-400, are often overkill and cost-ineffective against low-cost drones. The LCH, with its mobility and ability to operate in forward areas, offers a flexible solution to engage drones and loitering munitions, which are difficult to detect due to their small radar cross-section, low altitude, and terrain-masking capabilities.
The integration of VSHORAD on the LCH will enable it to target swarm drones, which operate in coordinated formations to overwhelm defenses, and loitering munitions like the IAI Harop or SkyStriker, which have been used effectively in conflicts like the Nagorno-Karabakh war. The LCH’s EO/IR sensors, potentially upgraded with AI-driven target recognition, will enhance its ability to track and engage these agile threats, while VSHORAD missiles provide a low-cost, high-success-rate intercept solution compared to expensive surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
The integration process, led by HAL in collaboration with DRDO and private-sector partners like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), will involve mounting VSHORAD launchers on the LCH’s weapon stations, alongside upgrades to its avionics for real-time drone tracking. The DRDO’s VSHORAD missile, designed for ranges up to 6 kilometers and capable of engaging low-altitude targets, is a likely candidate, with tests conducted in 2023 demonstrating its efficacy against small UAVs. The LCH’s existing helmet-mounted displays and fire-control systems will be adapted to interface with VSHORAD sensors, ensuring seamless operation.
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