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Saturday, July 19, 2025
TopicAdvanced Light Helicopter

Topic: Advanced Light Helicopter

3 helicopter crashes since 2022, 6 dead—armed forces are paying the price for HAL’s complacency

In my experience, HAL has always resorted to band-aid fixes and additional cautions rather than walking back a design—that too after much blood was spilt.

ALH Mk-IIIs grounded yet again after fatal Porbandar crash. What grounding of a fleet entails

The latest crash claimed the lives of two pilots and one aircrew diver. The three forces, along with the Indian Coast Guard, collectively operate 330 ALH aircraft.

Accidents push govt panel to review military’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, ‘faster fatigue’ of parts found

Review by committee set up by Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification found no design flaw, but metallurgical issues & maintenance problems at the service level, it is learnt.

Seconds before Army ALH crash that killed soldier, pilot reported technical fault to ATC

The crash took place days after ALH fleet was cleared for flying again after back-to-back crashes involving Dhruv helicopters in use by Navy & Coast Guard.

Army helicopter crashes in J&K’s Kishtwar, pilots safe among 3 on board

The aircraft was an advanced light helicopter called ALH Dhruv – a twin-engine indigenously developed utility aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Why the Army ALH MK-4 ‘Rudra’ crash at Pathankot needs a thorough investigation

The weapon system integrated helicopter has no role over water. Lt Col AS Batth and young Capt Jayant Joshi had nothing going for them, materially or training-wise.

Spate of chopper crashes raises questions on crew safety and training

Ten service personnel have been killed in four chopper crashes this year, only one of which was an ageing helicopter, the Chetak.

On Camera

Critical minerals are the new oil. India can’t afford to depend on China

Mineral security is no longer just an economic concern but a national security imperative, underpinning the country’s ambitions in clean energy, defence self-reliance, and advanced manufacturing.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

Not just AK-203, India & Russia to jointly manufacture AK-19 and PPK-20 for domestic use and export 

India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.

RSS chief Bhagwat draws the line at 75. India’s politics stares at the Modi Exception

BJP has no dynastic succession, at least not at the top. You can trace this back to Vajpayee-Advani era. This act of spotting, empowering younger talent is even more striking with the choice of BJP presidents.