Amid growing threats from China in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy has commissioned a squadron of indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK-III aircraft at a naval base in Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. ALH is also known as the Dhruv helicopter.
The 'Eagle Owl' is the name of the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 325 that is going to operate these helicopters. The keen sense of observation and tracking of the eagle is exemplified in the sensors and advanced avionics of the helicopter, while the nocturnal prowess of the owl is personified in the night vision capabilities of the aircraft.
The newly inducted aircraft flew for the first time over the Andaman Islands earlier this year. The unit is the second ALH MK-III squadron commissioned into the Indian Navy.
The state-of-the-art multi-role helicopter is developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru, and it helps protect India's maritime interests in the region to boost the country's strategic presence.
According to officials, so far, over 300 ALHs have been delivered by HAL and are being flown by the armed forces. Among its variants, the MK-III variant is a maritime role variant encompassing state-of-the-art sensors and weapons that add punch to India’s prowess at sea.
“The addition of ALH MK-III into ANC (Andaman & Nicobar Command) would greatly augment the surveillance and long-range SAR (surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities of ANC,” Lieutenant General Ajai Singh, Commander-in-Chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command, said. He added that the aircraft would not only strengthen military capabilities in the region but would also be able to provide assistance to the local administration in any need.
The ALH MK-III helicopter with its glass cockpit, Shakti engines, advanced maritime patrol radar, electro-optical payload and night vision devices will act as a force multiplier in keeping India’s Far-Eastern seaboard and island territories safe.
Navy officials maintained that these helicopters come with the latest-generation avionics and equipment and they are primarily meant for use in long-range SAR and maritime reconnaissance roles. They can also be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the islands. “The helicopter has a surveillance radar, homer, high-intensity searchlight and a removable medical intensive care unit for the air ambulance role,” a senior naval official said.
The ALH squadron will further enhance capabilities to also support islanders and the administration in remote areas of the large archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This multi-utility aircraft will serve to massively boost the military might of the Indian armed forces in this region.