Center signs contract with Hindustan Aeronautics to purchase light helicopters

ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility) – Indian Army version – designed for search and rescue.

New Delhi:

The Indian Ministry of Defense on Wednesday signed two contracts worth a total of Rs 8,073 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to purchase 34 advanced light helicopters and related equipment for the Indian Army and Coast Guard.

According to the Ministry of Defense, out of the 34 Dhruv Mk-III helicopters, the Army will get 25 and the Coast Guard will get nine.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the two procurement projects last week.

“Following the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Ministry of Defense on March 13 signed two contracts worth a total of Rs 8,073.17 crore with HAL for the purchase of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III and the Indian Army (25 combat role equipment of the Indian Coast Guard (09 ALH) and the Indian Coast Guard (09 ALH) falls under the purchase (Indian-IDDM) category,” the ministry said.

It described acquisitions under the IDDM (Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacturing) category in India as a major move towards localization of defense manufacturing.

ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility) – Indian Army version – designed for search and rescue, troop transport and casualty evacuation purposes.

It has proven its performance in high-altitude areas such as the Siachen Glacier and Ladakh, the ministry said in a statement.

The ALH Mk III MR (Marine Role) is the ICG version designed for maritime surveillance, search and rescue, abseil operations and troop transport.

The ministry said it had proven its capabilities even in adverse atmospheric conditions at sea and on land.

“The project will create approximately 190 million man-hours of employment during its implementation. More than 200 MSMEs will also be required to provide equipment and 70 local suppliers will be involved in the indigenization process, which is likely to create employment opportunities in the sector, “it says.

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