Indian LUH programme
With the new Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) helicopter factory in Tumakuru (Karnataka) geared up starting phase-1 operations last July, assembly of the first Limited Series Production (LSP) Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) has started.
After the three prototypes, which were built at HAL's production facility at Bengaluru, the LSP series, also known as LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production), will be built at the new facility in Tumakaru.
Although the Indian government placed no official order yet for the Light Utility Helicopter, HAL reported that already in March 2021 they received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Indian government for twelve LUHs.
According to the information, LRIP1 consists of four LUHs, two for the Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force) and two for the Indian Army, to be delivered by March 2023. LRIP2 consists of eight LUHs to be built between 2023 and 2024 and consists of four for the Indian Air Force and four for the Indian Army.
Next to the orders for the Indian Armed Forces, it is reported that Vman Aviation Services, an Indian leasing compay, has ordered five civilian Light Utility Helicopters. The order also includes an option for five more.
Photo by Shrey Chopra (Scramble Archive)