HAL LUH for Coast Guard

[Two banks of the River]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594970342011076610

 

[Skull and Bones]

A light weaponized/recon version is at works too.

 

[Two banks of the River]

A light weaponized/recon version is at works too.

Currently the LUH is outperforming the Army's requirement at very high altitudes by around 70-80kg payload with still 2% more usable power left.

Once we add some self protection suite and a EO pod(for Surveillance)/ Laser designator (for artillery fire) , that extra capability will likely be used up.

Adding weapons will come at the cost of payload requirements of Army.

We have around 100 Rudras for armed support. Maybe invest in 100-150 Archer UAVs for further fire support, but adding weapons on LUH will be difficult.

Ofcourse for export market, it should be integrated.

 

[Two banks of the River]

At the same time, Mr. Pathania also evaluated the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) as a potential Chetak replacement in a maritime role. The ICG said that a committee comprising of all stakeholders, including HAL, would be set up, which will define the qualitative requirements of a maritime single engine helicopter for replacing its Chetak fleet.

“The LUH is designed to operate upto an altitude of 6 km as per the high-altitude requirements of the Army and the Indian Air Force. So the helicopter will have lot of reserve power at sea level, which is very helpful in operations,” another ICG official said. The ICG will submit its requirements to HAL shortly, the official said. HAL is already developing a modified variant of the LUH for the Navy.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-coast-guard-looks-for-new-helicopters-rotary-unmanned-aerial-vehicles/article66187739.ece

So even the Navy will get a version of LUH.

 

[Bilal9]

Is IAF, IA, IN still flying Chetaks ??

Wow - these were retired from most air-forces a while ago. Probably just training platforms.