Recently, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Important points:
- The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class.
- It is a multi-role chopper with the Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- HAL is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is governed under the management of the Ministry of Defence.
- HAL conceptualised the Advanced Light Helicopter programme in 1984. The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
Features:
- The aircraft, a step up from Mk 1, will be able to mitigate low visibility during search and rescue operations even at night.
- It has a 0.7 mm gun, which will give a huge capability from a LIMO (low intensity maritime operations) standpoint.
- The automatic flight control system is hugely superior to the previous one.
Role:
The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for search and rescue, special operations and coastal surveillance.
SOURCE: THE HINDU ,THE ECONOMIC TIMES ,MINT