scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Sunday, February 22, 2026
TopicALH Dhruv

Topic: ALH Dhruv

Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, grounded ALH fleet for Army, IAF cleared for operations

Entire Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) fleet for Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard was grounded after a Coast Guard helicopter crash killed 3 personnel in January.

Critics aren’t HAL’s enemy—hubris is. And it’s hurting India’s defence readiness

To understand the silliness of HAL’s approach, just see how other global defence firms have handled similar crises.

HAL bristles at criticism over ALH crash, opens fire. Gets reminded that ‘critics aren’t the enemy’

Grounding of ALH fleet since January is a setback for armed services & Coast Guard who together operate around 330 of these work horses. HAL came out against adverse reports.

Cause of Porbandar chopper crash identified, Dhruv fleet to stay grounded at least 3 more weeks

Dhruv’s design is certified, but training and maintenance may be factors, says HAL chief. 28 crashes in 25 years, with 13 due to technical faults.

On Camera

Youth Congress, your foolish protest helped the Modi govt climb out of the AI summit hole

In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

MoD, IAF agree on some exemptions to HAL for Tejas Mk1A, but no compromise on ‘must-have’ capabilities

IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.