WATCH: Indian Air Force inducts 'Made-in-India' Light Combat Helicopters

The Indian Air Force on October 3 inducted the first indigenously designed and manufactured Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) at the Jodhpur air base in Rajasthan.

The first fleet of LCH which comprises four helicopters has been developed primarily for mountain warfare after a requirement for it was felt during the Kargil war in 1999.

The induction took place in the presence of Defence minister Rajnath Singh and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, CDS General Anil Chauhan and CMD of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited CB Ananthakrishnan.

Developed by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the helicopters are capable of firing a range of missiles and other weapons.

The 5.8-tonne twin-engine gunship chopper is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems and other weapons.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the induction as he asserted India's forward movement towards 'Atmanirbharta.'

The LCH would be effective in hitting enemy infantry, tanks, bunkers, drones and other assets in high-altitude regions, military officials said.

"Subsequently, the IAF and HAL began exploring the possibility of developing the platform with a capacity to carry an adequate weapon load, sufficient fuel and still be capable of operating in the higher reaches of the Himalayan ranges," officials added

(With inputs from PTI)