HAL making 159 Dhruvs for Indian Army

The defence public sector undertaking, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) helicopter division on Tuesday said that the company’s order book position is strong. The HAL is working on producing 159 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to be handed over to the Indian Army.

The company also said that it is focusing on producing Weapon System Integrated (WSI) ALH to be handed over to the services and work on this was in the different stages.

M S Srinath, General Manager, Helicopter Division, said here, “HAL had handed over seven ALHs to Border Security Force (BSF), which is being used for the anti-naxalite operations.”

Srinath added that HAL has 19 production units and nine R &D centres spread across India. HAL has expertise on a diverse range of military and civil aircraft, providing self reliance to India’s aerospace capabilities.

HAL, Helicopter Division, was established in the year 1974 and has produced more than 600 Cheetah, Chetak helicopters. The division is also credited with manufacturing more than 100 Advance Light Helicopters (ALH) which has been christened Dhruv.

Srinath also said that the division has also produced ALHs which have been exported to Ecuador, Mauritius and Maldives.