Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk III to the Indian Navy and Two ALH to the Indian Coast Guard as part of 16 ALHs contract at Aero India’21.
The first batch of the “made in India” Mark-III variant “Dhruv” Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) customized for coastal security was delivered to the users today. This is a landmark event for both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Coast Guard.
The ALHs were handed over by Mr R Madhavan, CMD, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to Admiral Karambir Singh, CNS & Mr K Natarajan DG Indian Coast Gaurd in the presence of Indian Defense Minister Mr Rajnath Singh.
Why this is a significant development:
While the Indian Army and Air Force have inducted later versions of ALH (Mk-III utility, and weaponized Mk-IV “Rudra”) in large numbers, the IN and ICG have thus far operated only older Mk-I variant with conventional cockpit and Turbomeca (now Safran Helicopter Engines) TM 333 2B2 turboshaft engines.
The customized Mk-III under delivery features a full glass cockpit with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) ’s Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS), more powerful “Shakti” (Safran Ardiden 1H1) engines, and a host of new systems integrated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWRDC).
Two “green” helicopters were handed over to RWRDC by HAL’s Helicopter Division in June 2018 for system integration. The work was completed briskly by HAL in under two years before Covid-19 lockdowns put the brakes on field trials.
Sources: Aero India 2021, Vertical Mag, Wikipedia
