No. 143 Helicopter Unit, IAF

No. 143 Helicopter Unit
Active1 June 2022 - Present
CountryIndia Republic of India
Branch Indian Air Force
Garrison/HQJodhpur AFS
Nickname(s)"Dhanush"
Aircraft flown
AttackHAL Prachand

No. 143 Helicopter Unit (Dhanush) is a helicopter Unit and is equipped with HAL Prachand based at Jodhpur AFS.[1]

History

143 Helicopter Unit, is the latest attack helicopter unit of the Indian Air Force. It is the first unit to be equipped with the indigenously developed HAL Prachand attack helicopter.[2] The unit was raised on 1 June 2022 and started receiving the initial lot of helicopters from 18 July, 2022. The unit officially inducted 4 HAL Prachand on 3 October, 2022.[3]

Assignments

The unit will be tasked to carry out mainly ground attack missions. Prachand also has limited aerial combat capability. Armed with M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret, ATAM, FZ275 LGR rockets and Dhruvastra anti-tank guided missiles, the helicopter is well versed in carrying out varied operations duties.[2]

Aircraft

Aircraft From To Air Base
HAL Prachand 3 October 2022 Present Jodhpur AFS[4]
Helicopter Unit 143 ceremony pics

References

  1. ^ Peri, Dinaker (3 October 2022). "Induction of indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter marks a new chapter: Air chief". The Hindu.
  2. ^ a b "Indigenously Designed and Developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) inducted into Indian Air Force" (Press release). PIB. 3 October 2022.
  3. ^ "4 Light Combat Helicopters join IAF 143 HU; LCH is lethal and formidable". Asianet News. 3 October 2022.
  4. ^ "IAF inducts first made-in-India light combat helicopters". LiveMint. 3 October 2022.


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