Indian Army and Indian Navy has placed an additional order for the indigenous ALH Dhruv multi-role helicopters with Hindustan Aeronaut...
Indian Army and Indian Navy has placed an additional order for the indigenous ALH Dhruv multi-role helicopters with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
HAL and Indian Ministry of Defense signed the contract for the supply of 41 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), including 40 ALH to the Indian Army and one to the Indian Navy.
The contracts worth Rs 6100 crores ($951 million) will be executed in a period of 60 months. The 40 Army ALH order also include 18 armed variants dubbed the Rudra, which are integrated with 20 mm turret guns, rocket pods and anti tank missiles.
In March 2017, HAL had signed a contract for supply of 32 ALH to boost the maritime security capabilities of the Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The 5.5 tonne Dhruv twin engine helicopter entered service in 2002, and is flown by Indian armed forces in utility and combat roles. The type has won more than 300 orders, largely from armed forces.
Powered by two Turbomeca Ardiden turboshaft engines, the Dhruv can operate to altitudes higher than 6 km, making it a valuable platform for Indian Army for resupplying its forward military posts in the Siachen glacier bordering Pakistan.
