India’s military is steadily scaling up its dedicated attack helicopter fleet under an ongoing modernization drive aimed at enhancing mobility, precision strike capability, and evolving air defense roles against drone threats.
The Indian Army has inducted six AH-64E Apache helicopters along with five indigenously developed LCH Prachand platforms. A significant expansion is planned with the addition of 90 more Prachand helicopters, which will substantially increase the Army’s aerial strike capacity. Upon completion, the Army will operate a combined fleet of 101 attack helicopters, marking a major shift toward integrated aviation firepower within land forces.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently demonstrated the platform’s importance by flying the Prachand at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bengaluru during the Ran Samwad seminar. This highlights the helicopter’s growing relevance, especially in high-altitude and contested operational environments.
The Indian Air Force is also significantly expanding its fleet. Currently operating 10 Prachand helicopters, the IAF has placed orders for 66 more, taking its total to 76 units. Combined with its existing fleet of 22 Apache helicopters, the Air Force’s attack helicopter inventory will reach 98 platforms. Together, the Army and Air Force are expected to operate 199 dedicated attack helicopters in the near future.
Beyond these, both services field around 90 Rudra armed helicopters, which, while not classified as pure attack helicopters, provide strong close air support capabilities. The Rudra and Prachand share a common armament package, including a 20mm cannon, rocket systems, and compatibility with advanced anti-tank guided missiles.
Central to this firepower is the Dhruvastra and Helina missile family, variants of the indigenous Nag anti-tank missile. Dhruvastra equips the IAF’s Rudra helicopters, while Helina is used by Army platforms. These missiles, along with externally mounted rockets, enable flexible targeting of armored vehicles and fortified positions. The Defence Acquisition Council has already approved the procurement of 200 Dhruvastra missiles for the IAF.
Emerging battlefield trends have also highlighted a new role for attack helicopters in counter-drone operations. Nations such as Israel, the UAE, and Ukraine have demonstrated their effectiveness in intercepting low-flying UAVs, leveraging their ability to match drone flight profiles and engage them using onboard weapons or air-to-air systems.
