Overview
Prachand ("fierce") is India's Light Combat Helicopter, developed by HAL from the Dhruv with a slim tandem-seat body. It is designed to fight at very high altitudes and is the only attack helicopter able to land and take off at about 5,000 m, as on the Siachen Glacier.
It entered Indian Air Force service in October 2022, and in 2025 India ordered 156 more for the Air Force and Army.
Specifications
Dimensions
| Length | 15.80 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 13.30 m |
| Height | 4.70 m |
Weights & fuel
| Empty weight | 2,250 kg |
|---|---|
| Max. take-off weight | 5,800 kg |
Performance
| Max. speed | 268 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range | 550 km |
| Service ceiling | 6,500 m |
Crew & capacity
| Crew | 2 |
|---|---|
| Hardpoints | 4 |
Powerplant
| Engines | 2 |
|---|---|
| Engine model | HAL/Safran Shakti-1H1 |
| Power (each) | 1,032 kW |
Figures are compiled from public sources and may be approximate; they can vary by variant and configuration.
Armament
- 20 mm M621 cannon in a nose turret
- 70 mm rockets
- Mistral air-to-air missiles
- Helina anti-tank missiles (planned)
Photos
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