The Indian Air Force took delivery of the country’s first domestically produced light combat helicopter on Monday, in the latest boost to India’s defence industry.
The Prachand — Hindi for fierce — was developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics and designed for deployment in high-altitude regions.
Weighing 5.8-tonnes, the twin-engine helicopter can carry a range of missiles and is equipped with armoured-protection systems, night attack capability and crash-resistant landing gear.
It can be used in combat search-and-rescue operations, assaults on enemy air defences and counter-insurgency operations, said officials.
The Prachand can take out armoured vehicles on the ground using air-to-surface anti-tank munitions and drones with air-to-air missiles.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Prachand entering service was a “momentous occasion” for India.
“The induction of indigenously developed light combat helicopters will enhance our capability and will boost defence production,” Mr Singh said at the induction ceremony at western Jodhpur Air Force base.
It is “the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres”, said CB Ananthakrishnan, chairman and managing director of Hindustan Aeronautics.
He said the Prachand “is indigenous and state of the art — one of the best combat flying machines in the world”.
The Cabinet committee on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the procurement of 15 machines in March, at a cost of more than 40 billion rupees ($489 million).
Ten were allotted to Indian Air Force, with five for the Indian Army.
India has been steadily increasing its defence manufacturing capacity, under its ambitious Make In India initiative.
The country is among the world’s largest defence equipment importers, but has bought less in recent years, as it expands its domestic military manufacturing industry.
Last month, the country cleared the development of Tejas Mark-2 – an advanced version of its indigenous multi-role combat aircraft – and pledged to spend an additional 65bn rupees ($794m) on prototypes, testing and certification.
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
