New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) today signed two contracts for a combined value of Rs. 8073 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru, for the acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for the Indian Army and Indian Coast Guard.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had earlier approved the deal. Out of the 34 ALHs, the Indian Army will get 25 while the Indian Coast Guard will get 9 ALHs under the Buy (Indian-IDDM – Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category marking a significant move towards indigenisation in defence manufacturing.
The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility), the Indian Army version, is designed for search and rescue, troop transportation, internal cargo, and recce/ casualty evacuation among other things. It has proved its performance in high-altitude regions like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.
The ALH Mk III MR (Maritime Role), the ICG version, is designed for maritime surveillance and interdiction, search and rescue, rappelling operations and also for cargo and personnel transportation, pollution response using external cargo-carrying capability and medical casualty evacuation. It has proved its mettle even in adverse atmospheric conditions over sea and land.
The project will generate employment of an estimated 190 lakh man-hours during its duration. It will also entail a supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and 70 local vendors will be involved in the indigenisation process which is likely to have a positive impact on employment generation in this sector, thus furthering the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘, the Ministry of Defence stated.
– global bihari bureau
