Now Reading: HAL partners BEML, Adani for Prachand helicopter fuselages
-
01
HAL partners BEML, Adani for Prachand helicopter fuselages
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has roped in BEML and Adani Defence Systems to manufacture fuselage structures for the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). BEML will make 48 fuselages and Adani 42, HAL…
The Story in Brief
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has roped in BEML and Adani Defence Systems to manufacture fuselage structures for the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). BEML will make 48 fuselages and Adani 42, HAL announced on Friday. The deals support HAL’s ₹62,700-crore order for 156 helicopters, 90 for the Army and 66 for the Air Force, signed in March 2025. Deliveries are to start from the third year of the contract, around 2028. The Prachand is India’s first indigenous combat helicopter capable of operating above 5,000 metres. HAL said the partnership will expand capacity and strengthen domestic aerospace supply chains.
The Indian Opinion
The celebratory talk around private-sector involvement in defence manufacturing must be tempered. Only the fuselage, not critical systems like engines or weapons, is being outsourced. HAL remains the lead integrator. The real test is whether the promised 65% indigenous content is met across all 156 helicopters, and whether deliveries to the armed forces begin by 2028 as contracted.
Sources (3): thehindubusinessline.com, hindustantimes.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
