The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced on December 21, 2025, plans to retire its ageing Soviet-era Mi-35 attack helicopters by 2030-31, replacing them with the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand to bolster high-altitude operations in critical areas like Siachen Glacier and Eastern Ladakh. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) post-Kargil War, the Prachand uniquely operates at 5,000-6,500 meters with advanced avionics, stealth features, and Shakti engines, carrying air-to-air missiles, rockets, and a 20mm gun for superior agility and precision strikes. Complementing the fleet are 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters inducted in 2019-2021, while a March 2025 order for 156 more Prachands—66 for IAF and 90 for Army—starts deliveries in 2027-28, advancing India’s self-reliance in defence amid modern warfare demands.