The Indian Army’s aerial fire power along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China will get an indigenous boost as its first Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Squadron moves to Missamari in the Eastern sector by October end, according to defence sources. The LCH, India’s first indigenously designed and developed attack helicopter, is also the first dedicated attack helicopter operated by the Army.
“Army Aviation has taken delivery of three LCHs and the fourth LCH is expected by the last week of October after which the 351 Army Aviation Squadron will move to Missamari by month end,” a defence source said. “The fifth helicopter is expected to be delivered by November end.”
The Army raised the 351 AA Squadron on June 01, 2022 in Bengaluru and received the first LCH last week. The Squadron is set to be formally operationalised at Missamari in Assam in early November, the source added. The shortest aerial distance from LAC to Missamari is around 250 km.
