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Indian Navy - Bhāratīya Nau Senā HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) |
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Serials: HAL Dhruv Mk.I: IN701 / IN702 / IN703 / IN704 / IN705 / IN706 / IN707 / IN708 HAL Dhruv Mk.III: IN709 / IN710 / IN711 / IN712 / IN713 / IN714 / IN715 / IN716 / IN717 / IN718 IN741 / IN742 / IN743 / IN744 / IN745 / IN746 Squadrons: INAS 322 'Guardians' - HAL Dhruv Mk.I INAS 323 'Harriers' - HAL Dhruv Mk.III MR INAS 324 'Kestrels' - HAL Dhruv Mk.III MR INAS 325 'Eagle Owl' - HAL Dhruv Mk.III MR |
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The HAL Dhruv (from Sanskrit > Dhruva > "unshakeable", "constant" or
"pole star") Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) is a utility helicopter designed
and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November
1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992; though its development was
prolonged due to multiple factors including the Indian Army's
requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions
placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. The HAL Dhruv entered operational service in 2002. It is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators, with military variants of the helicopter being developed for the Indian Armed Forces, while a variant for civilian/commercial use has also been developed. Military versions in production include transport, utility, reconnaissance and medical evacuation variants. As of January 2024, more than 400 Dhruvs had been produced for domestic and export markets logging more than 340,000 flying hours. Indian Navy: On 12 November 2013, the Indian Navy commissioned their first Dhruv squadron (INAS 322, Guardians) at INS Garuda. The helicopters would be deployed as an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter for heliborne operations and armed patrol with night vision devices". In October 2008, the then Defence Minister A. K. Antony announced that the Indian Navy will deploy the Dhruv in the utility role. The proposed anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant had been deemed unsuitable by the Navy, which was reportedly dissatisfied with the folding blade performance and maintenance record. In 2015, HAL modified the foldable rotor's design to allow the Dhruv to be carried on board light frigates; several Indian Navy helicopters shall receive this modification. The Navy has considered the Dhruv for maritime surveillance and search and rescue roles, and in 2008 a senior Navy official said: "The ALH has a long way to go before the programme matures sufficiently for it to undertake basic naval roles such as search and rescue (SAR) and communication duties." On 27 April 2016, the Indian Navy stationed an ALH Mk III at Maldives, to be based at Kadhdhoo Island in Laamu Atol. The helicopter will assist the Maldives National Defence Force in undertaking search and rescue, casualty evacuation, coastal surveillance, maritime reconnaissance, communication and logistic duties. The Indian Naval Contingent is headed by Cdr Rohit Gupte and comprises 4 officers and 21 sailors. The technical support team comprises 13 technicians and is headed by Lt Cdr Jithu K Joy. The support team with the spares and support equipment reached Male on 25 April 2016. An Indian Navy Dhruv was used to MEDVAC a 42-year old oil rig worker from Greatdrill Chaaya in the Arabian sea. He received urgent medical attention for cardiac arrest. The Helicopter took off from INS Garuda and flew 110 kilometers both ways on 15 April 2026 to complete the rescue efforts. Military Variants: Mk.I The initial configuration with a conventional cockpit with mechanical gauges and Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshaft engines. A total of 56 have been delivered to the Indian military. Manufacturing began in 2001. Mk.II Similar to the Mk.1, except has the newer HAL-IAI glass cockpit. Manufacturing had commenced in 2007. A total of 20 have been delivered to the Indian military. Mk.III An improved version equipped with Shakti-1H engines, new electronic warfare (EW) suite and warning systems, automatic chaff and flare dispensers, Saab Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS) with Digital Moving Map, Electro Optical pod, infrared suppressor, health & usage monitoring system, Solid State Digital Video Recorder (SSDVR), Engine Particle Separator and improved vibration control system. The first batch were inducted into service in 2012. Mk.III MR (Marine Reconnaissance) The contract for 32 Dhruv copters for the Navy and Coast Guard was contracted to include 19 additional systems. This included a nose-mounted modern surveillance radar and electro-optical equipment to carry out maritime reconnaissance as well as long-range search and rescue missions, an HMG and the capability to mount at least 2 ASW torpedoes. The radar has a range of 120 nmi (220 km) provides 270° field of view and delivers the functions of synthetic-aperture radar, inverse synthetic-aperture radar as well as moving target indication and classification. The radar is coupled with an electro-optical sensor, the EO POD Rev III, with a 30 nmi (56 km) range to detect every type of vessels. Other systems include High Intensity Search Light and a loud hailer, a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun with a range of 1,800 m (5,900 ft), IFF MKXII and an automatic identification system (AIS) among others. It also features a removable medical intensive care unit (MICU) to undertake medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) role. Mk.IV Also known as ALH-WSI (Weapons System Integrated) or HAL Rudra. NUH - Utility Helicopter - Marine HAL is currently developing an advanced derivative of the ALH Dhruv to address the specific needs of the Indian Navy. The helicopter is to be purpose-built for ship-borne roles including utility and maritime search and rescue. The UH-M programme has its origin from the Navy's Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) acquisition programme. The Navy issued a requirement of 111 units of utility helicopters. Specifications: Crew: Two pilots Capacity: 12 armed troops or 14 passengers Length: 15.87 m (52 ft 1 in) Width: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) Height: 4.98 m (16 ft 4 in) with skid landing gear Gross weight: 4,445 kg (9,800 lb) for Mk III with wheels Max takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb) for Mk III with skids Fuel capacity: 1,055 kg (2,326 lb) Payload: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) underslung (Mk II) Payload: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) underslung (Mk III) Powerplant: 2 x Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshaft, 807 kW (1,082 shp) each (Mk I and II) Powerplant: 2 x HAL/Turbomeca Shakti-1H turboshaft, 1,068 kW (1,432 shp) each (Mk III and IV) Main rotor diameter: 13.2 m (43 ft 4 in) Main rotor area: 136.85 m2 (1,473.0 sq ft) Cruise speed: 250 km/h (155 mph, 135 kn) for Mk III Never exceed speed: 291 km/h (181 mph, 157 kn) for Mk III Range: 630 km (390 mi, 340 nmi) for Mk III Endurance: 3 hours and 42 minutes for Mk III Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft) g limits: 3.5 Rate of climb: 10.33 m/s (2,033 ft/min) sources: wikipedia, Indian MoD |
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