January 28, 2015: HAL's Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) aims at initial operational clearance by September this year, and will be one of the star attractions at Aero India this year where at least two technology demonstrators of the three are expected to fly. In November last year, the third technology demonstrator took to the air, with the fourth expected to join flight test shortly after Aero India. While sea-level trials in Tamil Nadu have already taken place, the LCH will this year be flown to desert and high-altitude theatres for weather and endurance trials. Weapons testing will also crucially commence this year in earnest, with all four technology demonstrators participating. The LCH, considered a priority project by HAL, will be purchased in large numbers by the IAF and Army, which have 179 on order already and have been consistently impressed with the aircraft's performance during demonstrations and trials so far. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who also witnessed the LCH in action recently, was particularly impressed by its design and appearance. He has instructed HAL to study the export potential of its helicopter products, including the LCH to friendly countries. While the IAF uses Mi-35 heavy attack choppers, the need for light nimble assault helicopters with advanced survivability features has been felt since the Kargil conflict. The LCH will fill a generous void expressed both by the IAF and the Army, both currently in the process of dividing command and control over battlefield aviation assets. The IAF is in line to receive 22 Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III heavy attack choppers from the United States once the deal, currently in its final stages, is signed. Follow-on orders will go to the Army. Both the IAF and Army will count themselves as users of the HAL LCH.