HAL Light Combat Helicopter: The light combat helicopter is equipped with a glass cockpit, crashworthy bottom structure, crashworthy fixed tricycle type with tail wheel landing gear, canted flat panels for low radar cross-section, Integrated Dynamic System, Hinge less Main Rotor/Bearing less Tail Rotor, Anti-Resonance Isolation System, Integrated Architecture and Display System (IADS), IR Suppressor, Counter Measuring Dispensing System (CMDS), EO pod, Helmet Mounted Display System, and EW suite, 20mm Gun, 70mm Rocket and Missiles, Air to Air Missiles (ATAM) and Air to Ground Missiles (ATGM). The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the procurement of 15 indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) for Rs 3,887 crore along with infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 377 crore. (Photo credit: Wikimedia commons)

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AH-64 Apache combat helicopter: Developed by Boeing, the AH-64 Apache is said to be the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter. Among others, India is the 16th nation to select the Apache to strengthen its defence. On September 3, 2019, the first eight US-made Apache AH-64E combat helicopters were inducted into the Indian Air Force at Pathankot Air Base. The Indian Air Force has a fleet of 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The twin-turboshaft attack helicopter features a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two. It has a nose-mounted sensor suite for night vision and target acquisition systems. It is also equipped with a 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 chain gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft's forward fuselage, and four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons for carrying armament and stores, typically a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Hydra 70 rocket pods. The AH-64 has significant systems redundancy to improve combat survivability. (Photo credit: Twitter/@Boeing_In)

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Mil Mi-24: The Mil Mi-24 is produced by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant in Russia. It is a twin-engine turboshaft assault and anti-armour helicopter. Apart from being an attack helicopter, the Mil Mi-24 has the capability of carrying eight passengers. India is among the 48 nations using the multi-role helicopter. It was originally designed to carry eight combat troops but was later reconfigured to take on the gunship role. Later, its advanced versions, the Mi-24P (Hind-F) and the exported Mi-35P, are also equipped with anti-tank missile systems for the engagement of moving armoured targets, weapon emplacements, and slow-moving air targets. In the past, India has gifted multiple Mi-35 to the Afghan Air Force. (Photo credit: airforce-technology.com)

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Mi-17 V5: Recently, the Mi-17 V5 made several headlines after Gen. Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence, his wife and 11 others lost their lives in a twin-turbine transport helicopter crash at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. Designed by former Soviet and current Russian Mil Helicopter Company engineers, the Mi-17 V5 model is the modified version of the Mi-17 family of helicopters. The helicopter is commonly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version. It is also used for VVIP transportation, SAR (Search and Rescue Operations), and logistical assistance. Inducted into the Indian Air Force on February 17, 2012, Mi-17V5 choppers are among the most technically advanced helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type. The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,000kg and can transport either 36 armed soldiers internally or 4,500kg of load on a sling. (Photo credit: airforce-technology.com)

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HAL Rudra: Designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to meet the requirements of the Indian Army and Air Force, the Rudra is the weaponised version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv). Powered by two Shakti Engines, the multi-role helicopter has several features, including cost-effective operations due to better fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs, excellent hover performance, adequate safety margins in the event of single-engine failure, and is ideal for operations from unprepared surfaces and slopes. It is also armed with a 20 mm turret gun, a 70 mm rocket system, and an air-to-air missile. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

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HAL Dhruv: Indigenously designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter. The development of HAL Dhruv was announced in November 1984 and the helicopter made its first flight in 1992. However, its production was interrupted due to multiple factors, including the Indian Army's requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word Dhruv, which means firm or unshakeable. Finally, the helicopter entered service in 2002. By March 2017, a total of 228 helicopters had been produced, with 216 of them going to the Indian Armed Forces. Dhruv is available in various ranges, including Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III, and Mk-IV. Despite being a utility helicopter, the Mk-IV version of the Dhruv is capable of attack, close air support, and high-altitude operations. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Arpingstone)

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CH-47F (I) Chinook: The CH-47 Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that provides the Indian Air Force with unparalleled strategic airlift capability across the full range of combat and humanitarian missions. The helicopter can deliver heavy payloads to high altitudes and is eminently suitable for operations in the high Himalayas. The aircraft has been through a variety of combat situations across the globe and has demonstrated its ability to function in the wide range of conditions that typify the Indian subcontinent. It has an innovative cargo-handling system, a Common Aviation Architecture Cockpit, and a fully integrated digital cockpit management system that enhances the aircraft's handling and mission performance. The Indian Air Force currently has a fleet of 15 Chinook helicopters. Recently, IAF’s CH-47F (I) Chinook helicopter set a record by flying the longest, non-stop chopper sortie in India, with the operation training task requiring it to fly from Chandigarh to Jorhat. (Photo credit: www.boeing.co.in)

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HAL Light Utility Helicopter: Indigenously designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is a utility helicopter for civilian and military applications. It was introduced to replace the licenced-built Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama (also known as Cheetah) and Aerospatiale Alouette III used by the Indian Armed Forces (dubbed Chetak). The Ministry of Defence has placed an initial order of 12 light utility helicopters, out of which 6 are for the Indian Army and another 6 for the Indian Air Force. The first LUH is likely to be delivered by this month in 2022. The first LUH is likely to be delivered by this month. The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 235 km/h and can take off with a maximum weight of 3,150 kg (6,945 lb). (Photo credit: @DefenceDecode)

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Chetak: The Chetak is the oldest helicopter in the Indian Air Force. Recently, the IAF celebrated the chopper’s diamond jubilee at Hakimpet Air Force Station near Secunderabad on April 2 and 3. The IAF received the French-made Alouette III helicopters in 1962, and the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) delivered the first licence-produced Chetak (Alouette III) to the IAF in 1965. The Chetak can fly at a maximum speed of 185kmph and has a range of 500km. The single-engine helicopter can carry seven people, including two pilots. The last Chetak helicopter was delivered to the air force by HAL in March 2021. (Photo credit: currentaffairs.adda247)

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Cheetah: In 1970, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a licence agreement for Cheetah with M/s SNIAS, and the first chopper was delivered in 1976-77. The Cheetah Helicopter, identical to the LAMA SA 315B Helicopter of Eurocopter, France, is a high-performance helicopter designed for operation over a very wide range of weight, centre of gravity, and altitude conditions. The five-seater Cheetah helicopter is versatile, multi-role, multi-purpose, highly manoeuvrable and rugged in construction. It holds the world record for high altitude flying among all categories of helicopters. Nearly 200 Cheetah helicopters are in use by the Indian Air Force and the Army Aviation Corps. Over time, the helicopter has become outdated, and the nation has recorded over 30 crashes in the last few years, in which close to 40 personnel, including pilots, have died. Almost 80 per cent of these helicopters have outlived their lifespan of 30 years. (Photo credit: airliners.net)

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