Army, IAF set to order nearly 200 indigenous LUH helicopters from HAL

New Delhi: The Indian Army and Indian Air Force are preparing to place combined orders for nearly 200 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), strengthening India’s efforts to replace its ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleets with an indigenous platform. According to officials cited in media reports, the combined requirement is expected to reach at least 187 helicopters.

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Developed by HAL, the LUH is a light, single-engine helicopter designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, troop transport, logistics support, casualty evacuation and search-and-rescue missions. Its induction is particularly important for operations in mountainous and high-altitude regions, including along India’s northern borders.

The helicopter is in the final stages of military airworthiness certification and mission-equipment integration. HAL aimed to deliver the first 12 limited-series production helicopters to the Army and Air Force in the 2027–28 financial year, subject to the necessary certification and induction clearances.

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HAL has established dedicated LUH production facilities at Tumakuru, Karnataka, with an initial manufacturing capacity of around 30 helicopters annually. The company expected this capacity to increase to approximately 60 helicopters a year as requirements grow. The production programme is intended to support the gradual replacement of the military’s decades-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

The programme represented an important step towards strengthening indigenous military aviation and reducing dependence on foreign helicopter designs. However, final order quantities and delivery schedules will depend on the services’ procurement decisions, certification progress and HAL’s production readiness.

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