HAL Prachand LCH Set for Major Firepower Upgrade with New Indigenous 80mm Multi-Warhead Rocket System

India’s homegrown Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), HAL Prachand, is about to receive a significant boost in its firepower. A newly developed indigenous 80mm unguided rocket system is set to be integrated into the helicopter’s arsenal, marking a major step forward in strengthening India’s defence self-reliance and battlefield capabilities.

This new weapon system has been jointly developed by TridenTech Engineering, IIT Madras, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Reliance Aerospace Limited (RAL), and BILVA Technologies. It’s designed to replace the currently imported 70mm FZ275 Laser Guided Rockets (LGR), which are supplied by the global aerospace firm Thales.

Why This Upgrade Matters

The switch to an indigenous 80mm rocket system offers several important advantages:

• Extended Range:
  While the imported 70mm FZ275 LGR has an effective range of around 7 kilometres, the new Indian-made 80mm rockets can strike targets between 10 to 12 kilometres away. This increased range allows the Prachand to engage enemies from a safer distance, reducing the risk of counterattacks and improving crew survivability.

• Versatile Warhead Options:
  The new 80mm rockets can be fitted with different types of warheads based on mission requirements:

  • HEAT-Frag (High-Explosive Anti-Tank Fragmentation): Effective against armoured vehicles.

  • Thermobaric Warheads: Ideal for clearing bunkers, buildings, and fortified positions with intense blast effects.

  • Anti-Runway Munitions: Designed to disable enemy airfields and airstrips.

  • Illumination Rounds: To light up the battlefield during night operations.

This flexibility means the Prachand can adapt to various combat situations — whether it’s anti-armour, suppression of enemy positions, or nighttime missions.

Future Developments

While the first version of the new 80mm rocket system is unguided, there’s already work underway on a laser-guided variant. Once completed, it will offer precision strike capability with an entirely indigenous system. This not only reduces dependency on foreign suppliers but also strengthens India’s operational control and logistics.

The move aligns with India’s broader ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence sector, aimed at enhancing local production of critical military technologies and cutting down on imports of high-value weapon systems.

HAL Prachand LCH: Quick Specifications

• Crew: 2 (Pilot + Gunner)

• Maximum Speed: Around 268 km/h

• Operational Ceiling: 6,500 metres

• Armament:

  • 20mm nose-mounted turret gun

  • 70mm FZ275 LGR (to be replaced by indigenous 80mm rocket system)

  • Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs)

  • Air-to-Air missiles

• Features:

  • Crash-worthy structure and landing gear

  • Armour protection

  • Advanced electronic warfare systems

  • Capable of operating in high-altitude areas, including the Himalayas

The integration of this new 80mm multi-warhead rocket system is a significant leap for the Prachand LCH. It not only increases its battlefield flexibility and operational reach but also marks a proud milestone for India’s growing domestic defence industry. With future plans for a laser-guided variant, the Prachand is set to become an even more lethal and self-reliant combat platform for the Indian armed forces.