Why India's new LCH Prachand is 'extreme' weapon: special nuclear protection, stealth tech, & more

India's latest weapon - Light Combat Helicopter Prachand. It's not just another attack chopper. Five big features make it a unique, one-of-a-kind, and an 'extreme' piece of destructive technology.

One of LCH Prachand's most extreme features is its cabin which houses the pilot and co-pilot. It is pressurised for some protection from nuclear radiation, or a biological or chemical attack.

The Prachand is also the only attack helicopter in the entire world which can take-off or land at an altitude of 5,000 metres while carrying heavy weapons and fuel. The Light Combat Helicopter is also very versatile, being able to operate in the world's highest and coldest battlefield Siachen, as well as hot desert regions.

This chopper can attack enemies at night, and also carry out combat operations in all kinds of weather conditions. The Prachand possesses crash-worthy landing gear ensuring greater survival chances for fighter pilots.

This is not all. LCH Prachand also features stealth technologies which might make it perfect for surprise attacks on India's enemies.

The chopper uses radar-absorbing material for a lower radar signature, making it harder to detect. It also has reduced visual, aural, and infrared signatures. LCH Prachand is outfitted with counter-measure dispensing systems. This involves firing of chaff or flares to confuse radar, and also help divert infrared seekers of enemy missiles.

Once the Light Combat Helicopter engages an adversary, it has multiple weapons in its arsenal to take the enemy down. These include anti-tank guided missiles Dhruvastra, air-to-air missiles Mistral-2, 20mm turret guns, and 70mm rockets.

The induction of the Prachand attack chopper into the Indian armed forces is likely to cause some concern among Chinese and Pakistani militaries. There are 3 major reasons for this.

First, the LCH is capable of destroying targets on both land and air, like enemy drones and slower aircraft, and tanks on the ground. It can also attack enemy air defences like missile systems.

The second factor is the Indian chopper's range. It can operate in many different conditions, but high-altitude combat is its specialty. And Ladakh for China, and Jammu and Kashmir for Pakistan, are high-altitude battlegrounds.

The third reason is the helicopter's versatility, as it can conduct non-combat operations as well, like search and rescue missions.

What makes all of this even more special is the fact that Light Combat Helicopter Prachand is a made-in-India product. It is powered by two Shakti engines which are French in origin, but made by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The chopper's top speed is 268 km/h, and its maximum flying height is an astounding 6.5 km. Prachand has a range of 550 km, and endurance of around 3 hours. It has tandem seating, which means that the co-pilot - who also manages the weapons - sits behind the pilot. The chopper's weight is 5.8 tonnes, thus the Light tag in its name. Around 45% of the components in Prachand are made in India.

Despite such a wide-ranging and deadly feature-set, the LCH Prachand is far from achieving its final form. Planning is reportedly underway to include more modern and indigenous systems in the attack helicopter in future versions.