The forward posts in Ladakh have been equipped with two Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) in Ladakh. The helicopters have now been flying armed sorties in Leh and forward areas of Ladakh.
The report terms this deployment by the IAF as a huge show of faith. These LCH helicopters flew in to Ladakh from Bengaluru and have been deployed with the IAF for a week.
The report adds that IAF vice chief Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora flew in one of the helicopters from Thoise to Leh in full mission configuration. The Air Marshall was given a full demonstration of the helicopter’s handling in extreme conditions. The helicopter also carried out a simulated attack on an high-altitude target during the flight.
The helicopter is also being flown in live operational settings alongside the Apache attack helicopter.
The Indian Army and Indian Air Force is expected to order over 150 of these light combat helicopter for its troops from HAL.