ALH DHRUV

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: In the wake of the accident off the Mumbai coast, the defence forces have halted the operations of the ALH Dhruv helicopters till the time investigators find the reason for the incident and precautionary checks are carried out.

Details:

About Dhruv:

• The ALH choppers are operated by all three defence forces including the Army, Navy and Air Force along with the Indian Coast Guard.
• Advanced Light Helicopter or ALH-DHRUV is an indigenously developed utility aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a twin-engine.
• It has a multi-role, multi-mission dimension to it.  
• Even though its development was started in 1984, and was initially designed with Germany's assistance Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB), the helicopter was first flown in 1992 but entered service after certification in 2002.
• According to HAL, the aircraft is “type –Certified” for military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
• The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.

Role of ALH:

1. Commuter role
2. VIP travel
3. Causality evacuation
4. Underslung load
5. Rapid deployment of forces
6. Logistic support
7. Search and rescue
8. Training purpose

Weapon Fitment:

1. 20 mm Turret Gun
2. 70 mm Rocket
3. Air to Air Missile  

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/defence-forces-halt-alh-dhruv-fleet-operations-in-wake-of-navy-accident/articleshow/98550439.cms