Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into partnerships with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited for the manufacture of fuselages for India’s indigenous Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), marking a significant expansion of private-sector participation in the country’s military aerospace production ecosystem.
Under the new arrangements, BEML will manufacture 48 Prachand fuselages, while Adani Defence will produce 42 fuselages. HAL will manufacture the remaining fuselages as part of the ongoing series-production programme.
HAL is currently executing orders worth ₹62,700 crore for 156 Prachand helicopters, comprising 90 helicopters for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force. The programme represents one of India’s major indigenous helicopter production efforts and is aimed at strengthening the country’s combat helicopter capabilities.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said the collaboration marks the first time private industry has been integrated into the production of helicopter fuselage structures. According to HAL, the partnerships are expected to expand production capacity, strengthen the domestic supply chain and increase indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The wider industrial participation is also expected to create opportunities for Indian micro, small and medium enterprises, component manufacturers and specialised aerospace suppliers. This could help establish a broader domestic ecosystem for the production and maintenance of advanced military helicopters.
The series-production Prachand helicopters will incorporate several new systems and upgrades over the Limited Series Production (LSP) variants currently operated by the Army and Air Force. These include locally developed air-to-ground missiles, laser-guided rockets, advanced electronic warfare systems, nuclear detection capability, secure datalink systems, obstacle-avoidance technology and directed infrared countermeasures.
HAL has already expanded its helicopter manufacturing capabilities through its facility at Tumakuru in Karnataka, where production of the Prachand is being undertaken. The company plans to begin deliveries of the newly ordered helicopters in 2027-28, with completion of the 156-helicopter order expected over the following five years.
So far, HAL has manufactured and delivered 15 LSP Prachand helicopters, including 10 to the Indian Air Force and five to the Indian Army. These helicopters are equipped with air-to-air missiles, unguided rockets and turret guns.
The indigenous content of the Prachand currently stands at around 45% by value. HAL has stated that this is expected to progressively increase to more than 65% in the later aircraft of the series-production programme, further supporting the government’s objective of increasing domestic content in defence platforms.
The Prachand is designed for operations in high-altitude and challenging environments and forms an important component of India’s efforts to strengthen indigenous combat aviation capabilities. Its induction is particularly significant for operations in mountainous terrain, where the platform’s specialised design and weapons capabilities can provide additional support to ground forces.
The expanded production ecosystem is also expected to support India’s broader defence-industrial objectives under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The LCH is included in the government’s positive indigenisation lists, which seek to progressively reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and encourage domestic manufacturing.
HAL’s helicopter manufacturing facility at Tumakuru, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, has been developed as a major hub for indigenous helicopter production. Spread across approximately 615 acres, the facility is planned to manufacture multiple helicopter platforms, including the Light Utility Helicopter and future Indian Multi-Role Helicopter variants.
The facility currently has the capacity to manufacture around 30 helicopters annually, with production potentially increasing to around 100 helicopters of different types with additional investment and sufficient orders.
The HAL-BEML-Adani partnership therefore represents more than an expansion of the Prachand production line. It signals a growing role for Indian public- and private-sector companies in the manufacture of critical aerospace structures and could help create a larger, more resilient domestic supply chain for India’s future military aviation programmes.
