Russia hopes for a contract to deliver 197 light observation helicopters to

[acetophenol]

I'd beg to differ boss, those 20 odd Mi-24s are due for retirement soon, and further delay in LCH project could compel us to go for more Apaches.

i thought that MI-24 and LCH were not in the same line i.e. MI-24 aren't supposed to be replaced by LCH.

 

[Abingdonboy]

i thought that MI-24 and LCH were not in the same line i.e. MI-24 aren't supposed to be replaced by LCH.

You are correct, the Mi-35 (the IAF no longer operated Mi-24s) and Apache are heavy attack helos the LCH is inherently a LIGHT attack helo (which has its own advantages) hence it can carry less weapons, also the Apache is by FAR the most advanced helo in the world. The Mi-24s are to be replaced in IAF service by Apaches, the LCH will be operated by the IAF and IA (maybe IN in the future) to add a immense amount of "teeth" to both arms WAY over and above existing firepower.

 

[sancho]

Its pointless to talk about electronics no one tested them against each other, but KA-52 has one more small advantage that would be very hard to counter by Apache in wartime - ejection seats.

How can ejection seats be a point in war time? Besides, you might have missed the news that a Ka 52 recently crashed and both pilots sadly died although it had these seats.
India is highly focusing on netcentric warfare and the Apache Block 3s are fully suited to this capability, because of their advanced avionics. I hope that we can get some Israeli customisations as well and these helis could be very good in command and special attack roles, with higher numbers of LCH and Rudra on the lower end. Here the Russian helicopters simply couldn't offer the same advantages, while the Mi 17 and Mi 26 are very good choices. Personally I would like to see a joint Kamov 92 development, but that might be too far off at the moment.

 

[zzzz]

How can ejection seats be a point in war time? Besides, you might have missed the news that a Ka 52 recently crashed and both pilots sadly died although it had these seats.

Saving pilot lives is important even in wartime. Of course ejection seats are not 100% guarantee that they will be saved like in this crash example.