HAL to showcase indigenous military aircraft prowess

While combat aircraft Tejas would be part of the flight display, a three-tonne helicopter will be on static display

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' flies during Initial Operational Clearance before its induction into IAF at the Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd airport in Bangalore. File photo

Showcasing its indigenous manufacturing prowess, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will unveil its under-development Light Utility Helicopter and the Light Combat Helicopter at the Aero India show starting here tomorrow.

“For the first time, we will show our Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which is being developed to replace the Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet of the Indian air Force and the Army along with the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH),” HAL officials said here.

The three-tonne helicopter is being put in the HAL pavilion for static display, they said.

Once developed, the helicopter would be able to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions along with playing search and rescue roles.

The LCH, the officials said, would also take part in the flying displays and would be placed at the tarmac for static display, they said.

The attack helicopter has been under development since 2006 and has undergone several test flights. The HAL had rolled it out in March last year.

HAL has plans of getting the LCH ready by 2012 for its induction in the Indian Air Force. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas would also be present at the show and take part in the flying display also, they said.