No. 143 Helicopter Unit, IAF

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

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

History

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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

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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

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Aircraft From To Air Base
HAL Prachand 3 October 2022 Present Jodhpur AFS[4]
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References

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  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.