Indian Coast Guard augments maritime security with advanced coppers

Aimed at strengthening coastal security and surveillance, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Director General VS Pathania today commissioned the made-in-India Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Mark III Squadron (CG)-835 at Porbandar, Gujarat.

Notably, these choppers will boost the maritime surveillance capabilities of the force along the border with Pakistan as per ICG officials.

In a major boost to further strengthening coastal security and surveillance, DG @IndiaCoastGuard VS Pathania, PTM, TM DGICG commissioned Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Squadron (CG)-835 at Porbandar today.@IndiaCoastGuard#AatmaNirbharBharat #MakeInIndia pic.twitter.com/PaEX24zk6n

— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) June 28, 2022

DG Indian Coast Guard VS Pathania presided over the commissioning ceremony which witnessed the participation of various military & civil dignitaries based at Porbandar and Gujarat area.

Addressing the ceremony, ICG DG VS Pathania said,“ These indigenously designed and manufactured maritime coppers are the symbol of prowess, and professionalism of our own Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which has been strengthening make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar initiatives of the country.”

Deciphering HAL’s ALH MK III

The 835 Squadron (CG) is an indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III squadron, which has been indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – the largest DPSU under the Department of Defence Production of Ministry of Defence.

The advanced light helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including advanced Radar, Electro optical sensors, Shakti engines, full glass cockpit, high-intensity searchlight, advanced communication systems, automatic identification system along with SAR homer.

The amalgamation of these advanced features enable the helicopter to undertake maritime reconnaissance as well as carry out Search and Rescue (SAR) coordination at extended ranges even while operating from ships during both day and night.

Notably, the aircraft has the ability to switch roles from an offensive platform with heavy machine gun to that of a benign one carrying a Medical Intensive Care Unit to facilitate transfer of critically ill patients.

The induction of these coppers in ICG has marked a tremendous leap towards self-reliance in the field of Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime surveillance.

So far, 13 ALH MK-III aircrafts have been inducted in the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned at Porbandar. Since the induction, the squadron has flown over 1,200 hours and conducted numerous operational missions, including the maiden night SAR mission off Diu coast.

ALH Dhruv Mark III is “type –Certified” for Military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification (CEMILAC) and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Certification of the utility military variant was completed in 2002 and that of the civil variant was completed in 2004. The deliveries of production series helicopters commenced from 2001-02 onwards. A total of 228 Helicopters have been produced by March 2017 including 216 for the Indian Armed Forces.