The helicopters were handed over during Aero India 2021 by Mr. R. Madhaven, CMD, HAL to Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff and Mr. K. Natarajan, DG, Coast Guard, in the presence of the Defence Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh.
The Indian Navy commissioned its first Dhruv (Mk I) squadron in November 2013. HAL is under contract to deliver 16 ALH Mk III, an improved version equipped with Shakti-1H engines, new electronic warfare (EW) suite and warning systems, automatic chaff and flare dispensers, and improved vibration control system.
“The remaining helicopters from the contract are under various stages of production, flight tests and we plan to deliver all the helicopters within the contract delivery schedules despite production slowdown due to COVID restrictions,”
Indian Defence Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh
ALH has logged close to 3,000,000 cumulative flight hours and has proven its merit in versatile operations.
According to manufacturer HAL, the ALH Mk III is fitted with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and a powerful Shakti engine. The contract involves integration of 19 major systems with the existing ALH MK III that includes IFF MKXII & ATC Xpdr with ADS-B Out, V/UHF communication system, traffic alert and collision avoidance (TCAS-I), SAR Homer system, automatic deployable emergency locator transmitter (ADELT), loud hailer, radio altimeter, rescue basket, medical intensive care unit (MICU), IADS system, AFCS, digital video recording system (SSDVR), automatic identification system (AIS), high intensity search light (HISL), pressure refueling system, control grip, EO POD Rev III, surveillance radar system and 12.7 mm gun system…
