Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has awarded its first-ever contracts for the production of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand fuselage structures to Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd (ADSTL) and Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML).
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said the contracts marked the first time private industry had integrated into the production of helicopter fuselage structures which would help HAL expand capacity, strengthen the domestic supply chain and enhance indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Adani Defence will manufacture 42 LCH fuselage structures and BEML will produce 48, with HAL producing the remaining 66.
BEML’s fuselage production order is valued at INR 184.25 crore (approximately US$19.3 million) with deliveries to be completed over a five-year period from BEML’s Mysuru Complex.
The contract is one of the largest orders secured by BEML for its Aerospace business and builds on the firms previous experience in delivering similar aerostructures for HAL’s helicopters.
The contracts form part of HAL’s production expansion following the March 2025 order for 156 Prachand Light Combat Helicopters for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
HAL signed two contracts totalling INR 62,700 crore (US$7.3 billion at then exchange rates) in March 2025 for the supply of 156 LCH Prachand attack helicopters for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The Army will receive 90 LCHs, while the IAF will take delivery of 66.
HAL is scheduled to begin deliveries in 2028, with all 156 helicopters on order to be delivered by 2033. An indigenisation rate of over 65% is envisaged by the end of the programme.
The company is increasing industrial participation to accelerate deliveries and strengthen India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing base.
All 156 LCH Prachands ordered for the Indian Armed Forces will be built by HAL at its new helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka.
HAL has already completed deliveries of 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) Prachand Helicopters ordered in 2022 under a contract worth INR 3,887 crore along with Infrastructure sanctions worth INR 377 crore.
The 15 LSP Prachand helicopters featured an indigenisation rate of 45% compared with the target of 65% by the end of the series production run.
