The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, along with training and associated equipment, valued at Rs 627 billion (excluding taxes). Under the agreements, 66 LCHs will be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 90 to the Indian Army. The delivery of these helicopters will begin in the third year and will be completed over the following five years. Designed for high-altitude combat operations, the LCH is India's first indigenously developed combat helicopter capable of operating at over 5,000 meters. The project aims to achieve over 65% indigenous content, involving more than 250 domestic companies, mostly MSMEs, and generating over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, the MoD has signed a contract with Metrea Management for the wet leasing of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) to provide air-to-air refuelling training for IAF and Indian Navy pilots. The KC-135 aircraft will be delivered within six months, marking the first-ever wet leasing of an FRA by the IAF. With these agreements, the total number of defence contracts signed in 2024-25 has reached 193, with a record-breaking contract value exceeding Rs 2,090.5 billion, nearly double the previous highest figure. Of these, 177 contracts (92%) worth Rs 1,689.22 billion (81%) have been awarded to domestic industries. (PIB)