SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has been bolstering its capabilities to address modern warfare challenges, particularly in high-altitude and contested regions like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. A critical part of this modernization includes the acquisition of attack helicopters, which are essential for providing close air support, reconnaissance, and precision strikes in diverse terrains.
However, delays in the delivery of six Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters from the United States have raised questions about whether the Indian Army should reconsider its reliance on foreign platforms and instead focus on accelerating the procurement of the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
In 2020, the Indian Army signed a $600 million deal with the United States for six Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, intended to strengthen its offensive capabilities, particularly along the western frontier with Pakistan. The Apaches, often dubbed “tank killers,” are renowned for their advanced avionics, firepower, and battlefield survivability, making them a potent addition to any military arsenal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 22 Apaches, inducted under a separate deal in 2015, and their performance in desert and plains environments has been well-documented.
However, the Army’s Apache order has been plagued by delays. Initially scheduled for delivery in mid-2024, the timeline has repeatedly shifted due to supply chain disruptions and manufacturing bottlenecks on the U.S. side. As of March 2025, the Indian Army has yet to receive even a single helicopter, with reports suggesting the first batch might arrive later in the year—or possibly not until 2026. This delay has left the Army’s newly raised 451 Army Aviation Squadron at Nagtalao, near Jodhpur, waiting to operationalize its capabilities, despite the base being fully prepared to house and operate the helicopters.
Amidst these delays, the indigenously developed LCH Prachand has emerged as a viable alternative that could potentially fill the gap left by the Apaches—and perhaps even surpass them in certain operational contexts. Designed and manufactured by HAL, the Prachand was specifically engineered to meet the unique requirements of the Indian armed forces, particularly in high-altitude environments like Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier, where the Army frequently operates.
The Prachand offers several advantages over the Apache in the Indian context:
- High-Altitude Performance: The Prachand is the only attack helicopter in the world capable of operating at altitudes of up to 6,500 meters (21,300 feet). It has demonstrated its ability to take off and land at extreme altitudes, such as during test flights in the Siachen Glacier at 15,800 feet. The Apache, while a formidable platform, has struggled in high-altitude conditions, with reports of an IAF Apache being stranded for months in the Himalayas due to recovery challenges in such terrain.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The LCH Prachand is significantly cheaper than the Apache. The cost of a single Apache under the Army’s deal is estimated at around $100 million, whereas the Prachand is priced at approximately $50 million per unit. This cost differential allows the Army to procure more units for the same budget, thereby increasing its overall operational flexibility.
- Indigenous Supply Chain: As a homegrown platform, the Prachand ensures greater control over production, maintenance, and upgrades. With over 50% indigenous content (and plans to increase this to 55% or more), the Prachand aligns with India’s push for self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Dependence on foreign suppliers, as seen with the Apache delays, exposes the Army to risks of geopolitical leverage and supply chain disruptions.
- Operational Readiness: The Prachand has already been inducted into service, with the IAF formally commissioning it in October 2022 and the Army raising its first squadron in Assam in November 2022. The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the procurement of 156 additional Prachand helicopters (90 for the Army and 66 for the IAF), with the deal valued at around ?45,000 crore ($5.5 billion). This large-scale order indicates confidence in the platform and HAL’s ability to deliver, unlike the uncertainty surrounding the Apache timeline.
At the same time, the Army should push HAL to expedite production of the Prachand to meet the approved order of 90 units. The indigenous helicopter’s lower cost and adaptability to India’s operational needs make it a strategic asset that can be scaled up more efficiently than foreign platforms. Additionally, investing in the Prachand aligns with India’s long-term goal of self-reliance in defense manufacturing, which is crucial for sustaining military readiness in an era of global supply chain uncertainties.
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