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4w ago

Army and Air Force ALH Dhruv Helicopters Cleared for Return to Service

India's Army and Air Force versions of the indigenous ALH Dhruv helicopter have been approved for operations following safety reviews, while Navy and Coast Guard variants remain grounded.

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The development comes at a critical moment as the Indian military readies plans to respond to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. (HT PHOTO)
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Overview

  • The Army and Air Force versions of the ALH Dhruv have been cleared for operations after implementing Defect Investigation Committee recommendations.
  • A time-bound plan for resuming operations has been agreed upon between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the armed forces.
  • The entire ALH Dhruv fleet was grounded in January after a Coast Guard helicopter crash in Gujarat, which killed three crew members.
  • The crash investigation identified a swash plate fracture as the likely cause, prompting comprehensive inspections and design reviews.
  • Navy and Coast Guard versions of the helicopter remain grounded pending further technical evaluations.