State-run defence equipment manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday said the Union defence ministry has issued a ‘Request for Proposal’ (RFP) for procurement of 156 light combat helicopter.

Out of the total 156 light combat helicopter, 90 choppers will be procured for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force.

In a stock exchange filing, Hindustan Aeronautics said: “In terms of Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, we would like to inform that, Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by the Ministry of Defence for procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopter (90 nos. for IA and 66 nos. for IAF).”

Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd on Tuesday are likely to be influenced by the latest development.

On Friday, HAL shares closed at ₹5,199.60, higher by ₹96.45 or 1.89 per cent on the BSE.

Tejas aircraft

In April this year, the defence ministry had issued a tender to the Indian aerospace major for procurement of 97 light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) Tejas for the Indian Air Force.

The Tejas jets are used for air combat and offensive air support missions. Reconnaissance and anti-ship operations are considered to be the secondary roles of the LCA Mk-1A.

The fighter aircraft are expected to cost around ₹67,000 crore. 

In November, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had given its nod for the procurement of 97 more Tejas jets for the Indian Air Force.

The Council also approved a proposal of the IAF to upgrade its Su-30 fighter fleet by Hindustan Aeronautics.

Dhruv Mk-III helicopter

In March, the Union defence ministry had signed a contract worth ₹8,073 crore with HAL to buy 34 indigenous advanced light helicopters for the Indian Army and the Coast Guard.

Out of the 34 Dhruv Mk-III helicopters, 25 aircraft were for the Indian Army and the remaining nine were for the Coast Guard.