Indian Army has received first three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) MK III for its operations in high-altitude areas including Siachen. The ALH Mk III can carry 14 fully armed and equipped soldiers for rapid deployment.
Director General of Army Aviation Lieutenant General Kanwal Kumar accepted the documents on behalf of the force from its manufacturer HAL during the Aero India 2019 at the Yelahanka Air Force base in Bengaluru.
According to the HAL, Army had signed a contract for 40 ALH (22 ALH Mk III and 18 Mk IV Rudra) in August 2017. Of the 22 helicopters, 19 have already been produced and will be progressively delivered.
The Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) is a multi-role, new generation helicopter in the 5.5-ton weight class, indigenously designed and developed by HAL. Powered by two Shakti engines, it provides superlative performance throughout its flight envelope. It is suited for a high-speed cruise for rapid deployment and to maximize the area of operations. The basic helicopter is produced in both skid and wheeled versions. In the wheeled version, options for fixed and retractable undercarriages are available.
From HAL, the documents were handed by G.V.S. Bhaskar, chief executive officer, Helicopter Division, in the presence of the chairman and managing director R. Madhavan.
The armed ALH Mk IV, also known as Rudra, will join the Army and the Indian Air Force at later stage. The 5.8 tonnes Rudra is powered by two Shakti engines and its primary role will be as an anti-tank weapon, scout, aerial fire support to the soldiers on the ground, armed reconnaissance and surveillance, escort and as an Electronic Warfare platform.
