Two Squadron of LCH for each Indian army Strike corps

[Abingdonboy]

It terms of the marine expeditionary force of IA there was recent talk about possible naval version of LCH so could be operated by IN on LHDs, similar to Super Cobras of USMC. Would ensure Tri-service commonality and would be an asset unmatched in the region.

 

[Laughing_soldier]

LCH with Arjun will destroy enemy defences. Best combination.

 

[zeus]

There are 12 in each squadrons ,that means it has 24 LCH in one strike corps X 3 = 72 LCH only for the Strike corps

 

[Omega007]

There are 12 in each squadrons ,that means it has 24 LCH in one strike corps X 3 = 72 LCH only for the Strike corps

Completely wrong mate.Indian Army has already ordered 119 LCHs.So they will deploy 20 LCHs in each squadron.
Little knowlege is more dangerous than no knowledge.
REGARDS....

 

[pmukherjee]

SOURCE : IDRW NEWS NETWORK

Army aviation is all set to expand and Three Strike corps will be receiving two squadron of LCH each, Strike corps according to Indian army’s latest doctrine is tasked to slice through the enemy’s defences, the helicopters will supplement this by the quick insertion of fully-armed soldiers and their heavy weaponry.

The principal offensive formations of the Indian army are the three Strike Corps – 1 Corps, 2 Corps & 21 Corps. These are built around a nucleus of a single armoured division and two infantry divisions – probably with more mechanized brigades than basic infantry formations.................

The LCH is a dedicated combat and gunship variant of the existing Advanced Light Helicopter(Dhruv/ALH), it accommodates a pilot and a gunner/co-pilot in tandem configuartion. It is not capable of carrying troops. That is the job of the Mi-17/Mi-8. Yes the LCH can be tasked to escort the Mi-17s. But the main function of the LCHs in the strike corps will be to operate in conjunction with the armored formations.

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

Off topic-^^^Well they can carry a soldier or two,I saw a photo of an AH-64 with two soldiers on the wings of the gunship.

 

[pmukherjee]

 

[AMCA]

 

[sancho]

Hey Sancho,I think all the LCH will be equipped with PARS 3 and later HELINA ATGMs.Do you think any other missiles will be used by one of the branches?
And don't you think IA should also order some Mi 17V helicopters apart from the LUHs?Please share your thoughts.
REGARDS....

LCH has a long way to go and that's why I think HELINA will be available by then, but regarding other weapons for Dhruv WSI check this post:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-...n-attack-helicopter-programs.html#post1880666


No I don't think that IA should have a completely independent air wing, todays warfare requires to support ground forces with combat helicopters more than it was in the past, that's why dedicated combat helicopters for IA makes sense. But IAF should be the prime force when it comes to troop, or main cargo transport, because that eases the coordination and logistics, especially with a country of the size of India.

It terms of the marine expeditionary force of IA there was recent talk about possible naval version of LCH so could be operated by IN on LHDs, similar to Super Cobras of USMC. Would ensure Tri-service commonality and would be an asset unmatched in the region.

The report just said that IN would not rule it out, but the problem is, that IN seems not to plan with a real platform that supports a bigger number of helicopters. The RFI that was send out was for LPDs which just support 4 x medium, or 2 x heavy class transport helicopters, not combat helicopters like LCH. Their interest on LCH might lie on the fact that it is indigenous, but without a real operational aim behind it, which is the sad point, because on real LHDs, combat helicopters makes sense to support beach landings, or even anti piracy missions.
Personally, I would love to see IAF going for your WAH Apaches versions, which have folding wings anyway and could be used from naval vessels, like now in Libya:

 

[DacterSaab]

Why's IAF not upgrading it's Mi-35s to Super Hind MK 5??????

 

[misterme2]

We need to develop a sound plan for first attack and counter attack. WHat are the possible problems we may face? As for the concrete borders, that;s a good step but they also become bullseyes for the enemies. RObotic controlled surveillance armed with guns w/, or w/o tracks (Look at South Koreas) development would be a great step as a defence. Heli's and troops can only go in after the airfore has hammered the enemy positions with effective bombs.

 

[Gessler]

that digital camo is amazing in third pic...i think we should carry forward development of a comanche-like
MCH (Medium Combat Helicopter)

 

[Tshering22]

SOURCE : IDRW NEWS NETWORK

Army aviation is all set to expand and Three Strike corps will be receiving two squadron of LCH each, Strike corps according to Indian army’s latest doctrine is tasked to slice through the enemy’s defences, the helicopters will supplement this by the quick insertion of fully-armed soldiers and their heavy weaponry.

I don't understand... the Army Aviation has ordered 114 LCH attack helicopters. That translates to 6 squadrons while IAF ordered 65 meaning 4 squadrons.

Then how come only two squadrons is mentioned here?

Is this only initial phase induction or what?

The principal offensive formations of the Indian army are the three Strike Corps – 1 Corps, 2 Corps & 21 Corps. These are built around a nucleus of a single armoured division and two infantry divisions – probably with more mechanized brigades than basic infantry formations.

Then I think that we must be expanding our strike corps additionally to equally accommodate the remaining 4 squadrons of LCH gunships when they start getting inducted.

Three strike will also get 15 Utility helicopters each for tactical battle field usage (Surveillance, Casualty evaluation), at present Indian army will be inducting close to 130 Eurocopter AS550 Fennec or Kamov Ka-226 which are in race and winner will be announced soon . While HAL also has begun development of LUH and the Mock up of LUH was recently displayed at Aero India 2011.

After seeing what happened in my state last year, Ka-226 is the guaranteed winner. It is already the front-runner. The Sergei is one helluva multirole helicopter. Wish the Army goes for it.

The LUH is working damn slow. I think HAL needs to set up a separate helicopter division that will cater only and only to helicopter production. We've got some serious inductions coming and and this slow induction rate is not acceptable, especially with the kind of neighborhood we have right now.

Indian army current is depended on Indian air forces Mi-35 attack choppers, but have already intended to purchase more than 114 LCHs, Army Aviation pilots are deputed to HAL and are working closely with HAL engineers to perfect the LCH and recent launch of LCH TD-2 with Digital cameo in recently held Aero India 2011, was based on suggestion of Indian army and HAL is currently working on better Digital Cameo for LCH after taking Army feed back.

The Krokodils have served our nation handsomely and deserve a heroic salute. They will always be remembered for their ferocity and power. Though I was in favor of the Mi-28N to complement the LCH, the AH-64 Apache will bring in some new blood into IAF assault division and replace the Mi-35 veterans.

Indian air force which also has committed to buy 64 LCH is also actively participating in development of LCH.Indian army is also planning to have its own Transport aircrafts to help in logistics and movement of troops.

With a home order of 179+ helicopters and that too before induction, I think it would have enough potential of exports around the world after seeing Dhruv's exports.

LCH is the only attack helicopter on this planet that can scale such an altitude (20,000 feet). Mountainous countries especially in the Andes and the Tianshan would love to acquire some. In long term, we should aggressively pitch for LCH exports to friendly countries.

 

[Tshering22]

We need to develop a sound plan for first attack and counter attack. WHat are the possible problems we may face? As for the concrete borders, that;s a good step but they also become bullseyes for the enemies. RObotic controlled surveillance armed with guns w/, or w/o tracks (Look at South Koreas) development would be a great step as a defence. Heli's and troops can only go in after the airfore has hammered the enemy positions with effective bombs.

Our case is different, my friend. The place where LCHs will be used are very mountainous and hostile. In Himalayan states, high speed jets would find it impossible to zig-zag between the jagged mountain peaks and would runt the risk of collision.

LCH-Dhruv gunship's development is the result of what happened in Kargil conflict in 1999. The Mi-17Vs were just too heavy to maneuver and loft those altitudes (ceiling for Mi-17s is around 11,000 feet while Tiger Hill is around 19,400 feet). We lost a couple of the helos because of this to Pakistani MANPADs. The Mirage-2000s and MiG-29s were used to a deadly effect (and thereby starting the IAF's love affair with French fighter jets) but only as a last resort.

It was very risky since the air was very thin at ground level itself and that was a real problem for jets to operate. Here's where this bad boy comes into play.

The Apaches you're selling us plus these, would make a deadly combination.

---------- Post added at 08:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:30 PM ----------

that digital camo is amazing in third pic...i think we should carry forward development of a comanche-like
MCH (Medium Combat Helicopter)

I wish we get digital camos like that for our infantry first. A uniform, common design for all ground troops in Army. We've got a rainbow of uniforms really within the same unit and that looks really odd. Some have the swanky new jungle camos while others have the old 90s woodland ones. That looks really bad.

 

[Tshering22]

The report just said that IN would not rule it out, but the problem is, that IN seems not to plan with a real platform that supports a bigger number of helicopters. The RFI that was send out was for LPDs which just support 4 x medium, or 2 x heavy class transport helicopters, not combat helicopters like LCH. Their interest on LCH might lie on the fact that it is indigenous, but without a real operational aim behind it, which is the sad point, because on real LHDs, combat helicopters makes sense to support beach landings, or even anti piracy missions.
Personally, I would love to see IAF going for your WAH Apaches versions, which have folding wings anyway and could be used from naval vessels, like now in Libya

The main problem with IN is that it has a tiny budget compared to Army and IAF. Only these last 2 years, it has got such a huge allotment for the first time. With the allocated budget, Navy is already stretched in funding:

- 2 aircraft carriers and their fighter acquisitions.
- Stealth frigates and destroyers.
- More corvettes and support surface ships.
- nuclear submarines and also conventional ones.
- Submarine-based nuclear ballistic missiles.
- Quasi-ballistic missiles.
- More BrahMos block 2/3 missiles.

I don't think they'd have any space for Naval LCH as of yet. Maybe in the coming 4-5 years they'd consider a Sea-LCH-Dhruv MK.2 or something but at least till 2015, any such plan just doesn't seem feasible.

For us, any new weapons acquisition especially indigenous is a good news and feast to eyes but from budgetary POV, I must say Admiral Verma must be stretched to manage all these simultaneously.