After getting the approval of the Defense Ministry, 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH)-Dhruv are going to join the Indian Army soon. Of these, the Ministry of Defense has signed two contracts at a combined value of Rs 8073.17 crore for the acquisition of 25 helicopters (ALH) Dhruv MK III for the Indian Army and 09 helicopters (ALH) for the Indian Coast Guard. This will increase the strength of the Indian Army manifold. This helicopter is equipped with all kinds of modern technologies and is capable of carrying out operations in all weather conditions.
ALH-Dhruv has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited using indigenous technology. It has 2 engines. Its development was started in 1984 itself. But its military version got certification in 2002. Then in 2004, certification of its civilian version was also completed. By the year 2022, 336 Dhruv helicopters have been produced by HAL. It was initially designed with the Messerschmitt-Bolko-Blohm (MBB) company of Germany. Its major variants are Dhruv MK-I, MK-II, MK-III and MK-IV. The production of ALH-Dhruv has been designed keeping the military services in mind and it has been designed for tasks like transport, reconnaissance and medical evacuation.
key feature
It can be used in any season. The power engine fitted in it serves the objectives of operating at maximum altitude and providing additional payload capacity. It can also be deployed in hilly and inaccessible and rugged areas. The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility) helicopter is designed for search and rescue, troop transport, internal cargo, reconnaissance/casualty evacuation. Defense Ministry officials have said that this helicopter has proved its superior performance in high altitude areas like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.
The operation can be easily performed even at night
The specialty of this helicopter is that it can carry out military operations very easily even at night. For this, the helicopter has been equipped with gloss cockpit and advanced avionics. It is capable of performing brilliantly in all weather high altitude areas due to its twin power engines. It is an excellent helicopter to operate at varying altitudes from sea level to the heights of the Himalayas and in salty atmospheric conditions including desert areas in extreme temperatures.
capable of using weapons
Weapons can also be used in advanced versions of this helicopter. Its upgraded version is ALH-Rudra, which is fitted with mission systems like Helmet Pointing System (HPS), Electro Optic Pod and Self-Protection System attached to Electronic Warfare Suit. Rudra is fitted with 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rockets, air-to-air missiles and anti-tank guided missiles. This digital moving map is also equipped with on board inert gas generation system. Among the state-of-the-art technologies, Dhruv is equipped with hinge less interchangeable main rotor blades, bearing less tail rotor blades, anti resonance vibration isolation system and built in redundancies for critical systems.
These countries also fell in love with the Pole
Seeing the specialty of Dhruv helicopter, about 35 countries from Latin America to Africa, West and South East Asia have become interested in it. Many countries have also expressed their desire to buy it. Many countries have also requested to see its performance.
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