HAL partners Adani BEML for Prachand fuselages

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into partnerships with Cook Defence Systems and BEML (BEML) to manufacture fuselage structures for the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). Under the agreements, BEML will produce 48 fuselage structures and Adani Defence will produce 42, expanding India's indigenous helicopter production ecosystem. The agreements were signed on August 14, 2026, in Bengaluru by HAL's General Manager Tushar Ranjan Behera with BEML's R. G. K. Rao and Adani Defence's Prasanna Karthik. HAL CMD Ravi Kota stated that this marks the first time private industry is integrated into helicopter fuselage production, strengthening the domestic supply chain and enhancing indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities. HAL has already commenced production of 156 Prachand LCHs ordered by the Indian Armed Forces at its new facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka. The two additional production lines are expected to support timely delivery of the helicopters. The LCH is India's first indigenously designed combat helicopter capable of operating at altitudes over 5,000 meters, with an indigenous content target of over 65%.