Bangladesh, March 29 -- India has approved its largest-ever defense deal, with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) greenlighting the acquisition of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) worth over 620 billion rupees ($7.3 billion). This landmark procurement marks a significant step in bolstering Indias military capabilities, particularly in high-altitude combat scenarios. The decision, announced on March 28 and formalized by the Ministry of Defence, underscores Indias commitment to strengthening its domestic defense manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.

The state-run defense manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been tasked with supplying these helicopters. Under the terms of the deal, the Indian...