New Delhi, Oct. 31 -- On 28 March 2025 in a landmark deal boosting self reliance, Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 156 (90 for Indian Army Aviation Corps, 66 for Indian Air Force) Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand plus associated equipment at a cost of over Rs. 62,700 Cr (US$ 7.2 billion) excluding taxes. The contracts were signed soon after the deal got final sanction from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The helicopters will be manufactured in HAL's Bengaluru and Tumukru plant in Karnataka. Deliveries will start from the 3rd year of inking the contract and will be followed by delivery of 30 helicopters per year, completing the contract within the next 5 years. The fo...