page_title: Attack helicopter
section_title: India
hierarchical_section_title: Attack helicopter / Background, precursors and development / India
caption_attribution_description: English: HAL's Light Combat Helicopter at Aero India 2013
context_page_description: An attack helicopter is an armed helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored fighting vehicles. Due to their heavy armament they are sometimes called helicopter gunships.
  Weapons used on attack helicopters can include autocannons, machine guns, rockets, and guided anti-tank missiles such as the Hellfire. Many attack helicopters are also capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, though mostly for purposes of self-defense. Today's attack helicopter has two main roles: first, to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops, and second, the anti-tank role to destroy enemy armor concentrations. Attack helicopters are also used to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed scout role. In combat, an attack helicopter is projected to destroy around 17 times its own production cost before it is destroyed.
context_section_description: The Indian Army deploys the Mil Mi-35 (export variant of Mi-24V)  and HAL Rudra as of 2014. During the Kargil War in 1999, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army found that there was a need for helicopters that can operate at such high-altitude conditions with ease. Limitations from operating with high payloads and restricted maneuverability of Mil Mi-35 led India to develop the HAL Light Combat Helicopter and HAL Rudra for multi-role high-altitude combat operations. These helicopters will be used by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army's Aviation Corps.
caption: India's HAL Light Combat Helicopter under development
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