ALH Dhruv

ALH Dhruv Latest News

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army has resumed limited operations of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in the Anantnag region.

About ALH Dhruv

• Advanced Light Helicopter or ALH-DHRUV is an indigenously developed utility aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a twin-engine. It has a multi-role, multi-mission dimension to it.
• Even though its development started in 1984, and was initially designed with Germany's assistance, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB), the helicopter was first flown in 1992 but entered service after certification in 2002.
• According to HAL, the aircraft is “type–certified” for military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
• HAL has bagged orders for 73 ALH in 2017 from the Indian Army, Coast Guard, and Navy for ALH Mk-III & Mk-IV variants. It has also been supplied to the Nepal Army, the Mauritius Police, and the Maldives.
• Features:
  • Twin-engine configuration
  • Glass cockpit with advanced avionics
  • Crashworthy airframe and landing gear
  • Composite interchangeable main rotor blades
  • Chaff and flare dispenser
  • Helmet Pointing System
  • Integrated self-protection suite
  • On-board inert gas generation system
  • Capability to operate in diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions

ALH Dhruv FAQs

Q1. What is the ALH Dhruv?

Ans. The ALH Dhruv is an indigenously developed multi-role Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Armed Forces.

Q2. Why were Dhruv helicopters grounded earlier in 2025?

Ans. The entire fleet was grounded in January 2025 following a crash in Porbandar that resulted in the deaths of two Coast Guard pilots and an aircrew diver, prompting safety 

Q3. What are the key features of the ALH Dhruv helicopter?

Ans. The ALH Dhruv helicopter features a twin-engine configuration, advanced avionics, a glass cockpit, and the capability to operate in diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions.

Source: TH