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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 143 Helicopter Unit
|image=
|caption=
|dates=1 June 2022 - Present
|country={{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
|allegiance=
|branch={{air force|India}}
|type=
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Jodhpur Air Force Station|Jodhpur AFS]]
|garrison_label=
|nickname="Dhanush"
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded=

|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=

|aircraft_attack=[[HAL Prachand]]
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}
'''No. 143 Helicopter Unit (Dhanush)''' is a helicopter Unit and is equipped with [[HAL Prachand]] based at [[Jodhpur Air Force Station|Jodhpur AFS]].<ref name="th-011022">{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iaf-inducts-indigenously-built-light-combat-helicopter/article65965662.ece|title=Induction of indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter marks a new chapter: Air chief|publisher=The Hindu|first=Dinaker|last=Peri|date=2022-10-03}}</ref>

==History==

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.<ref name="pib-031022">{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1864787|title=Indigenously Designed and Developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) inducted into Indian Air Force|publisher=PIB|date=2022-10-03}}</ref>
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.<ref name="ann-031022">{{cite web|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india-defence/4-light-combat-helicopters-join-iaf-143-hu-lch-is-lethal-and-formidable-rj5x5w|title=4 Light Combat Helicopters join IAF 143 HU; LCH is lethal and formidable|publisher=Asianet News|date=2022-10-03}}</ref>

==Assignments==

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, [[Mistral (missile)|ATAM]], [[FZ275 LGR]] rockets and [[Dhruvastra]] anti-tank guided missiles, the helicopter is well versed in carrying out varied operations duties.<ref name="pib-031022"/>

===Aircraft===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft !! From !! To !! Air Base
|-
| [[HAL Prachand]] || 3 October 2022 || Present || [[Jodhpur Air Force Station|Jodhpur AFS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/iaf-inducts-first-made-in-india-light-combat-helicopters-11664807466198.html|title=IAF inducts first made-in-India light combat helicopters|publisher=LiveMint|date=2022-10-03}}</ref>
|}

==Gallery==

{{Gallery
|title=Helicopter Unit 143 ceremony pics
|width=160 | height=170
|File:IAF LCH-Image4.jpg
|
|File:HAL Prachand during a flight.jpg
|
|File:IAF LCH-Image3.jpg
|
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|143]]

{{India-mil-unit-stub}}

No. 143 Helicopter Unit, IAF - Revision history

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