The handing over of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) to defence forces marked a red-letter day in the history of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, (HAL) Bangalore, a premier public sector undertaking of the Ministry of Defence. The series of handing over ceremonies of ALHs took place in the second fortnight of March, this year.

The first in the series was held on March 18 at the Helicopter Wing of HAL, Bangalore where HAL Chairman, Mr NR Mohanty handed over the first wheeled variant of ALH to Vice Admiral OP Bansal, Director General, Coast Guard. Two days later, Lt Gen RS Kadyan, Deputy Chief of Army staff received two skid versions of ALH from HAL.

On March 28, it was the turn of the Indian Navy to receive the naval version of the ALH. Vice Admiral SV Gopalachari, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff accepted the ALH.

The crowning event of the series of handing over ceremonies of ALHs took place on March 30 when Mr George Fernandes, Defence Minister handed over ALHs to Air Chief Marshal, S Krishnaswamy, Chief of the Air Staff at a glittering function. Incidentally, the Defence Minister christened the ALH Dhruv. The function was presided over by Mr Harin Pathak, Minister of State for Defence Production and Supplies. Mr Subir Dutta, Secretary for Defence Production and Supplies was also present on the occasion, Mr NR Mohanty, Chairman, HAL Mr AK Baweja, Director (Design and Development) of HAL and a large number of senior officers of all the three Services.

The Advanced Light Helicopter is HAL’s flagship programme and it has been accorded high priority in the country in terms of development, production and marketing for the next decade. Indigenously designed and developed to meet the requirements of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard, the ALH can fly at high altitudes, possesses sea-level high lift capability and performs at high speed. It is an armed gunship, a utility transport, an anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface vessel warfare helicopter and a platform for search and rescue and casualty evacuation. The ALHs are powered by two Turbomeca TM 333 turboshaft engines procured from France and these will be produced under licence by HAL.

HAL is currently concentrating on integration work. With the turret gun, rockets, air-to-air missiles and third generation anti-tank missiles, ALH has the teeth for attack together with self-defence and protection systems. The naval version of the ALH is fitted with sonar/sonics system, surveillance radar, ESM system and tactical mission system and is armed with torpedo/depth charges and anti-ship missiles for anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel missions.

The ALH given to Coast Guard is fitted with surveillance radar, forward looking infra red sensor, loud hailer, cabin mounted gun besides other equipment for various requirements. HAL plans to increase the production rate gradually from 10 ALHs at present to about 24 per annum in a few years.