Army, IAF set to order nearly 200 HAL Light Utility Helicopters to replace Cheetah, Chetak fleet
New Delhi, October 27, 2026 (ANI): The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are moving towards ordering about 200 indigenous Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in a long-awaited step to replace their ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleets. Defence officials said HAL has already built 12 LUH aircraft, while orders for another 187 units are in the pipeline, taking the total to around 199 helicopters. The programme is estimated to be worth more than ₹20,000 crore.
The planned procurement comes against the backdrop of a combined requirement of around 400 light helicopters for the two services. On October 26, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity for the purchase of 200 Light Multirole Helicopters (LMRH) at an estimated cost of about ₹20,000 crore. According to officials, the Indian Army is expected to float the tender for these helicopters, with Indian companies such as Tata, in partnership with Airbus, and the Adani Group, in partnership with Leonardo of Italy, expected to work with global original equipment manufacturers to manufacture the platforms in India. Bell Helicopters of the United States is also expected to take part in the competition. The contract is likely to be divided between the lowest and second-lowest bidders, and reports suggest that around 120 helicopters are likely to go to the Army and 80 to the Air Force.
Officials said the Army and Air Force are likely to end up operating three different types of light helicopters, with about 50 per cent of the total coming from private-sector firms and the rest from public-sector manufacturers such as HAL. The approach is aimed at addressing the long-pending need to phase out roughly 400 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters over the coming years.
The HAL LUH is a new-generation 3-ton class helicopter developed specifically as a replacement for the Cheetah and Chetak. HAL has equipped it with a glass cockpit featuring multi-function displays, and the helicopter is powered by a single Ardiden-1U turboshaft engine, which provides the power margin needed for demanding high-altitude operations. According to the company, the LUH can fly at a maximum speed of around 220 to 235 km/h, has a service ceiling of 6.5 km, a range of 350 km with a 500 kg payload, and a maximum take-off weight of 3,150 kg. It can carry a crew of two and up to six passengers.
The helicopter is intended for reconnaissance and surveillance, logistics support, troop movement, casualty evacuation, training and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, particularly in high-altitude regions from Siachen to the Northeast.
The LUH programme has already undergone extensive testing, including trials at high altitude. Certification is now in its final stages, and HAL plans to deliver the first limited-series production batch of 12 helicopters, six each for the Army and the Air Force, in FY 2027–28. Production of the aircraft is being carried out at HAL’s dedicated facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka.
Earlier attempts to replace the Cheetah and Chetak fleets, including the selection of the Russian Ka-226T in 2014 and other previous tenders, did not materialise. As a result, the services have continued to rely on the ageing platforms for critical frontier operations.
The latest move is expected to improve operational capability along India’s northern and northeastern borders while also supporting the domestic helicopter manufacturing ecosystem, including medium and small-scale industries, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Separately, the Indian Navy is procuring light maritime helicopters for search-and-rescue and other roles.
