The agreements bring private and public-sector Indian companies into the manufacture of fuselage structures for the LCH and expand the number of domestic suppliers involved in the helicopter programme.
The partnerships come as HAL prepares to begin deliveries of 156 Prachand helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army from 2028 under contracts signed with the Ministry of Defence last year.
HAL brings Adani Defence, BEML into LCH production
The agreements were signed by Tushar Ranjan Behera, General Manager, Helicopter Division, HAL, with R G K Rao, Executive Director, Aerospace & Maritime, BEML, and Prasanna Karthik, Vice-President, Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL), in the presence of senior leadership from the three companies.
Commenting on the partnerships, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said, “This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem. For the first time, the private industry is being integrated into the production of helicopter fuselage structures.”
Ravi said the partnerships would expand capacity, strengthen the domestic supply chain and contribute to indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Also read: Exports to FTA partners gain momentum in Q1 FY27; shipments to Singapore, Sri Lanka grow over 100%
₹62,700 crore LCH order sets delivery timeline
The development comes after the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts with HAL on March 28, 2025, for 156 Prachand LCHs for the armed forces. The contracts, worth ₹62,700 crore, cover 66 helicopters for the IAF and 90 for the Indian Army.
Under the contracts, supply of the helicopters is to begin from the third year and be completed over the following five years. HAL is therefore required to start supplying the helicopters from 2028, along with training and associated equipment.
The Prachand is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter. It is designed to operate at altitudes of more than 5,000 metres and is intended for operations in high-altitude areas.
The addition of BEML and Adani Defence to fuselage manufacturing comes as HAL works towards meeting the production requirements arising from the 156-helicopter order, while increasing participation from Indian industry in the LCH supply chain.
