An Indian Air Force Prachand Light Combat Helicopter fires 70mm rockets during a training exercise. (Image Credit: IAF)
In an effort that will increase indigenous content in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand and , the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) have shortlisted domestic firms SSS Defence and Kalyani Group to develop an indigenous 20mm aviation gun and turret system for the Army and Air Force's Rudra and Prachand combat helicopters, in a move to reduce dependence on foreign weapon suppliers.
This will mark India's first effort to design and develop an aviation medium-caliber aviation gun domestically.The development phase is expected to take around two years, after which production orders will be placed following acceptance procedures. The order will be divided between the two companies based on cost calculations, with the lowest bidder set to receive 60% of the order and the other company 40%. ARDE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had signed a memorandum of understanding last year to collaborate on the project.The gun is intended for HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV, known as Rudra, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. Both platforms are designed to engage ground targets and support troops using a combination of guns, rockets and missiles. The Rudra can carry a 20mm turret gun, 70mm rocket pods and missiles, while the Prachand's weapon suite includes a 20mm gun, rockets and anti-tank guided missiles. The Indian Army has previously conducted day and night firing trials of the LCH's turret gun.
The LCH currently uses the THL20 turret manufactured by European defence company KNDS. In September, KNDS announced that it would supply 126 newly manufactured 20mm THL20 turrets for India's new LCH fleet. The company has also supplied 136 THL20 turrets for Advanced Light Helicopters operated by the Indian Air Force. The indigenous development programme would provide an alternative to imported systems.The gun programme is progressing alongside efforts to indigenise the helicopters' other weapons.
The indigenous HELINA and Dhruvastra anti-tank guided missiles, derived from the Nag missile programme, are intended for Army and Air Force helicopter operations respectively. In June, Bharat Dynamics Limited received orders worth Rs 1,109.37 crore from HAL for HELINA launchers and associated line-replaceable units.
A separate order worth Rs 238.34 crore covered countermeasure dispensing system line-replaceable units.
The contracts are scheduled for execution over 24 to 60 months.India is also preparing to manufacture 70mm rockets domestically through a collaboration between Kalyani Strategic Systems and Thales Belgium. Announced in September, the agreement combines Thales' technical expertise with Kalyani's manufacturing and testing infrastructure. The first fully assembled rocket produced in India is expected in early 2027.
The rockets can be launched from aircraft, ground platforms and naval systems.The indigenous gun, missile and rocket programmes would expand domestic manufacturing across the Rudra and Prachand weapon systems. However, the new gun remains at the development stage, while the missile and rocket programmes have their own production and delivery timelines.