India-China Border Dispute: Indian helicopters are ready to support Indian troops in winter

New Delhi: To support the Indian troops deployed at forward post LAC (Line of Actual Control) in winter, Indian helicopters are fully ready. For the army operations in winter, two new types of choppers also proving their worth during recent flights at the high altitude cold desert.

Indian Army and Air force are already using Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and these choppers had showed its strength of at siachen glacier. Over the ALH, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is confident and believes that the aircraft will perform even better in the coming winter season to carry payloads for soldiers.

“Both the army and air force are operating the chopper that has high altitude capability and can carry a meaningful payload where others find it difficult to go. More than 20 of the choppers are flying and support teams are in place,” HAL chairman R.Madhavan told media.

Further, R.Madhavan stated that “The ALH has been performing exceptionally well, with a record no aircraft on ground, which means that all machines are serviceable and flying without problems. In the coming winters, it will be even easier to carry payloads as a temperature drop improves performance,”

Besides Advanced Light Helicopter, HAL Chairman also spoke about supplied two Light Combat Helicopters.

“Two Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) to the armed forces in Ladakh, which are combat ready. While an order for the LCH is yet to be placed, HAL has sent the two choppers as demonstrators and helicopter’s performance appreciated,” R.Madhavan said.

According to the information, the Indian Air force already deployed the heavier Apache attack choppers at Ladakh and the home developed LCH has been designed especially for operations in high altitude areas.

“During the Kargil war, the lack of such a platform was felt. We started the LCH development based on that experience and it is a great asset for the army and air force as it is designed for high altitude operations,” Madhavan said

India Air force choppers are extremely manoeuvrable, and it is hard to detect on radars. Though the choppers are fitted with pods that can carry missiles and rockets, the armaments are still to be ordered, leaving it currently only with a gun pod for attack missions.

“We have conducted high altitude hot climate tests for the Light Utility helicopter (LUH) that have been completed about two three weeks back. The chopper had proven itself to the air force last year and now has been validated by the army as well,” the official said.

_Vinayak.Barot