Why in news? The Army will start phasing out Cheetah and Chetak helicopters from 2027 on completion of their total technical life and to induct the indigenous light utility helicopters (LUHs) to replace them

Highlights:

• Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 12 limited series production (LSP) variants of the LUH for the Army and the Air Force.

About Cheetah

• Role-Utility helicopter
• National Origin -France
• Primary users-Indian Army
• Afghan Air force
• Features -It is a Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama is a French single-engined helicopter.
• Helicopters have been built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India, known as the Cheetah
• Operate in hot tropical weather and high altitude conditions
• The military helps liaison, observation, photography, air/sea rescue, transport and ambulance duties.
• It holds the world record in high altitude flying among all categories of Helicopters

About Chetak Helicopters

• Role-Light utility helicopter
• National origin -France
• Primary users-French Armed Forces
• Indian Armed Forces
• Features-Chetak is versatile, multi role, multipurpose, and spacious.
• It is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by French aircraft company Sud Aviation.
• Commonly used for casualty evacuation (often fitted with a pair of external stretcher panniers), crop-spraying, personnel transportation, and for carrying external loads.
• This helicopter was used in Operation Khukri