IAF to buy 156 more 'Prachand' Light Combat choppers for deployment along China, Pak border

The Indian Air Force plans to order 156 additional Prachand Light Combat Helicopters from HAL as part of Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' defense initiative. These aircraft will be deployed along borders with China and Pakistan by both the IAF and Indian Army. The services have already inducted 15 of these helicopters over the past 15 months following rigorous testing in extreme weather and terrain conditions. A senior defense official confirmed that the IAF, as the lead service, has submitted a proposal for this joint acquisition that is expected to receive government approval.