India to acquire 200 new light helicopters to strengthen high altitude operations
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
The Indian Ministry of Defence announced on August 11, 2025, the publication of a Request for Information (RFI) for the acquisition of 200 light reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters for the Army and the Air Force. This initiative represents an important step in the modernization of the aging Chetak and Cheetah fleets and aims to strengthen operational capabilities across diverse environments, from desert regions to the high altitudes of the Himalayas.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Several models are being considered by New Delhi, with the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) emerging as the primary domestic contender. (Picture source: WikiCommons)
According to the RFI, the project foresees the delivery of 120 helicopters for the Army and 80 for the Air Force. The document seeks to define operational requirements, determine the procurement category, and identify potential industrial partners, both Indian and foreign, within the framework of joint production agreements or technology transfer. Interested suppliers have been invited to a meeting on August 22, 2025, while the deadline for responses has been set for October 18, 2025. The acquisition process follows the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which outlines a two-stage evaluation process with cost-free, non-binding trials, while prioritizing local industrial participation to support the “Make in India” initiative.
The helicopters will be required to fulfill several critical roles. In addition to reconnaissance and surveillance, they must be capable of transporting small quick-reaction teams, conducting medical evacuation, providing logistical support, and cooperating with drones in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations. High-altitude performance is a key requirement, with operational capability up to 6,000 meters under demanding conditions such as ISA +20 °C. The RFI emphasizes the need for advanced avionics, compatibility with night vision goggles, modular weapon integration, and strict compliance with international military standards for environmental and safety protection. Twin-engine configurations are preferred to enhance operational safety in difficult environments. Additional requirements include crash-resistant design, reinforced seating, modern communication systems such as software-defined radios (SDR), and integration with India’s NAVIC satellite navigation system.
Several models are under consideration to meet the criteria outlined by New Delhi. The leading domestic candidate is the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed under the “Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacture” category, it already meets many of the requirements specified in the RFI. This 3.12-ton single-engine helicopter, powered by the Shakti-1U engine jointly developed by HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, has demonstrated operations at altitudes of up to 6,500 meters, corresponding to the demands of missions in the Himalayas and the Siachen region. It can transport up to six passengers or carry a sling load of one ton, covering troop transport and medical evacuation needs. More than 50 percent of its components are locally produced, aligning with India’s industrial autonomy objectives. The LUH features a modern glass cockpit, digital flight control system, and a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). Its airframe has been designed for operational resilience and incorporates modern safety features. HAL has also invested in a dedicated facility at Tumakuru in Karnataka with an initial production capacity of 30 to 40 helicopters per year, expandable to meet the projected requirement of 200 units. The LUH has already obtained Initial Operational Clearance and is undergoing military certification trials with the CEMILAC. However, its single-engine configuration remains under scrutiny given the RFI’s stated preference for twin-engine platforms.
This preference opens the competition to foreign candidates through potential industrial partnerships. Among them is the Ka-226T from Russian Helicopters, a twin-engine model specifically designed for high-altitude operations and previously considered under a local assembly agreement with India. Nevertheless, delays in the program and the current geopolitical context raise questions about its prospects. The Airbus H135 is another credible option: a twin-engine helicopter widely used for surveillance, medical evacuation, and light transport missions, which could benefit from existing cooperation between Airbus and Indian industry. The Bell 429, also twin-engine, is recognized for its versatility and could meet the reconnaissance, evacuation, and support roles specified in the RFI. Finally, the Leonardo AW109, a light twin-engine helicopter, combines speed and modularity with adaptability to surveillance and transport roles, and could also be considered if industrial collaboration is established.
The Indian Ministry of Defence is thus initiating a broad modernization effort aimed at replacing obsolete helicopters with a new generation of safer, more versatile aircraft adapted to the operational challenges of the country. With a potential order of 200 units, the objective is twofold: to meet the strategic needs of the armed forces and to strengthen the national defense industrial base through local production and technology transfer. The HAL LUH, despite its single-engine configuration, remains the most prominent domestic candidate. Yet the emphasis on twin-engine designs could provide opportunities for foreign contenders such as the Ka-226T, the Bell 429, the Airbus H135, and the AW109, making the selection process a strategically significant decision for the future of India’s light aviation fleet.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
The Indian Ministry of Defence announced on August 11, 2025, the publication of a Request for Information (RFI) for the acquisition of 200 light reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters for the Army and the Air Force. This initiative represents an important step in the modernization of the aging Chetak and Cheetah fleets and aims to strengthen operational capabilities across diverse environments, from desert regions to the high altitudes of the Himalayas.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Several models are being considered by New Delhi, with the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) emerging as the primary domestic contender. (Picture source: WikiCommons)
According to the RFI, the project foresees the delivery of 120 helicopters for the Army and 80 for the Air Force. The document seeks to define operational requirements, determine the procurement category, and identify potential industrial partners, both Indian and foreign, within the framework of joint production agreements or technology transfer. Interested suppliers have been invited to a meeting on August 22, 2025, while the deadline for responses has been set for October 18, 2025. The acquisition process follows the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which outlines a two-stage evaluation process with cost-free, non-binding trials, while prioritizing local industrial participation to support the “Make in India” initiative.
The helicopters will be required to fulfill several critical roles. In addition to reconnaissance and surveillance, they must be capable of transporting small quick-reaction teams, conducting medical evacuation, providing logistical support, and cooperating with drones in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations. High-altitude performance is a key requirement, with operational capability up to 6,000 meters under demanding conditions such as ISA +20 °C. The RFI emphasizes the need for advanced avionics, compatibility with night vision goggles, modular weapon integration, and strict compliance with international military standards for environmental and safety protection. Twin-engine configurations are preferred to enhance operational safety in difficult environments. Additional requirements include crash-resistant design, reinforced seating, modern communication systems such as software-defined radios (SDR), and integration with India’s NAVIC satellite navigation system.
Several models are under consideration to meet the criteria outlined by New Delhi. The leading domestic candidate is the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed under the “Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacture” category, it already meets many of the requirements specified in the RFI. This 3.12-ton single-engine helicopter, powered by the Shakti-1U engine jointly developed by HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, has demonstrated operations at altitudes of up to 6,500 meters, corresponding to the demands of missions in the Himalayas and the Siachen region. It can transport up to six passengers or carry a sling load of one ton, covering troop transport and medical evacuation needs. More than 50 percent of its components are locally produced, aligning with India’s industrial autonomy objectives. The LUH features a modern glass cockpit, digital flight control system, and a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). Its airframe has been designed for operational resilience and incorporates modern safety features. HAL has also invested in a dedicated facility at Tumakuru in Karnataka with an initial production capacity of 30 to 40 helicopters per year, expandable to meet the projected requirement of 200 units. The LUH has already obtained Initial Operational Clearance and is undergoing military certification trials with the CEMILAC. However, its single-engine configuration remains under scrutiny given the RFI’s stated preference for twin-engine platforms.
This preference opens the competition to foreign candidates through potential industrial partnerships. Among them is the Ka-226T from Russian Helicopters, a twin-engine model specifically designed for high-altitude operations and previously considered under a local assembly agreement with India. Nevertheless, delays in the program and the current geopolitical context raise questions about its prospects. The Airbus H135 is another credible option: a twin-engine helicopter widely used for surveillance, medical evacuation, and light transport missions, which could benefit from existing cooperation between Airbus and Indian industry. The Bell 429, also twin-engine, is recognized for its versatility and could meet the reconnaissance, evacuation, and support roles specified in the RFI. Finally, the Leonardo AW109, a light twin-engine helicopter, combines speed and modularity with adaptability to surveillance and transport roles, and could also be considered if industrial collaboration is established.
The Indian Ministry of Defence is thus initiating a broad modernization effort aimed at replacing obsolete helicopters with a new generation of safer, more versatile aircraft adapted to the operational challenges of the country. With a potential order of 200 units, the objective is twofold: to meet the strategic needs of the armed forces and to strengthen the national defense industrial base through local production and technology transfer. The HAL LUH, despite its single-engine configuration, remains the most prominent domestic candidate. Yet the emphasis on twin-engine designs could provide opportunities for foreign contenders such as the Ka-226T, the Bell 429, the Airbus H135, and the AW109, making the selection process a strategically significant decision for the future of India’s light aviation fleet.
