HAL hands over 3 advanced light choppers to Indian Army

The state-owned defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd on Friday handed over the first three advanced light helicopters (ALHs) as part of the 22 ALH MK III contract to the Indian Army at the ongoing Aero India show.

"We have handed over the documents of the first three of the 22 ALH MK-3 to the Indian Army," HAL said at the Aero India air show.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director R. Madhavan was present when its helicopter division Chief Executive G.V.S. Bhaskar handed over the documents to Lt. Gen. Kanwal Kumar, Director General of the Army Aviation Corps.

The city-based aerospace major in August 2017 signed a Rs 6,100-crore contract to supply 40 ALHs to the Indian Army, including 22 ALH Mk-3 and 18 weaponised ALH Mk-4 Rudra, and one ALH to the Indian Navy.

"Of the 22 helicopters, 19 have been produced and will be delivered in due course," the company said.

HAL pointed out that it delivered the three choppers "ahead of schedule".

The Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) is a multi-role, new generation helicopter in the 5.5-tonne weight class, indigenously designed and developed by HAL.

Powered by two Shakti engines, it is suited for high-speed cruising for rapid deployment and to maximize the area of operations.

The basic helicopter is produced in skid version and wheeled version. In the wheeled version, options for fixed and retractable undercarriages are available.

--IANS

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