The Indian Coast Guard on Monday inducted the made-in-India Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk3, into the Coast Guard Region East. While this is the first induction into the newly created ‘840 Squadron’ that is to be based in Chennai, three more choppers of the same variant are to follow. The first chopper was received at Coast Guard Air Station, Chennai with a traditional ‘water cannon salute’, in the presence of Inspector General AP Badola, Commander, Coast Guard Region East. This is the first time the defence force has deployed such a plane in the eastern region.
According to the Coast Guard, three more ALH aircraft will be added to the new Squadron’s inventory in the near future. Modern radars are used to detect beyond the visual range of the aircraft. It is armed with a mounted Heavy Machine Gun for target neutralisation operations. The ALH is an indigenous aircraft built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as part of the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III aircraft:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) created and developed the HAL Dhruv utility helicopter (HAL). HAL Dhruv’s development was confirmed in November 1984. The helicopter initially flew in 1992, although it took longer to build due to a number of issues, including the Indian Army’s request for design improvements, funding constraints, and sanctions imposed on India after the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests.
The ALH MK- III is powered by two Shakti engines and is equipped with surveillance radar, electro optic pod, medical urgent care unit, high-intensity searchlight, infrared suppressor, heavy machine gun, and glass cockpit.
