New Delhi. The government is constantly making efforts to achieve self-reliance in the defense sector through Make in India. In this connection, the government company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a tender of Rs 45 thousand crore from the Defense Ministry to purchase 156 light combat helicopters.

90 helicopters will be given to the Army and 66 helicopters to the Air Force

Out of these light combat helicopters, 90 helicopters will be given to the Army and 66 helicopters to the Air Force. This move of the government will give strength to Made in India in the defense sector. HAL informed in a regulatory filing on Monday under the rules that the Ministry of Defense has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH).

The tender is expected to be worth more than Rs 45 thousand crore. Earlier in April this year, the Defense Ministry had issued a tender worth more than Rs 65,000 crore to HAL for the purchase of 97 indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft.

Prachand is capable of flying at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet)

The LCH is also known as Prachand. Prachand is the only helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet). It can be deployed in the high-altitude areas of Siachen Glacier and eastern Ladakh. It is also capable of firing air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.