After a protracted grounding, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are getting ready to return its fleet of HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to service.
After conducting an internal investigation into the technical problems that caused the flights to be suspended, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has formally identified corrective actions to address the persistent issues.
After safety problems involving the Dhruv led to a comprehensive examination of operational procedures and mechanical reliability, the grounding was started.
In order to address fleet-wide airworthiness, the inquiry concentrated on problems pertaining to important systems, such as the rotor assembly, control links, and spare parts availability.
HAL has provided the Coast Guard and Navy with a technical advisory that details thorough repair and retrofit procedures. Redesigning components, replacing weak subsystems, and altering the inspection schedule to increase safety margins are all included in the recommendations. The Services have approved the suggestions, paving the way for gradual correction.
Within a month, repairs and remedial measures are expected to start, with close coordination between service maintenance teams and HAL personnel.
Frontline units are being given priority in order to resupply operational squadrons that are stationed along the coasts and on warships that rely on the Dhruv for transport, search and rescue, and surveillance missions.
Helicopter shortages in the Coast Guard and Navy, which had been limited in their ability to perform offshore response and maritime patrol duties as a result of the grounding, should be greatly alleviated by the gradual return to duty.
The Dhruv’s return will be vital to assisting coastal security missions, anti-piracy patrols, and humanitarian aid operations.
In order to strengthen trust in the platform, longer-term actions are also being implemented. In order to improve on-condition maintenance frameworks, streamline component lifecycle management, and expedite preparedness for the more recent DHRUV MK-III and MK-IV versions, HAL has laid up a roadmap.
These actions are intended to guarantee operational availability sustainability over the ensuing years in addition to restoring fleet confidence.
The action is seen as a significant turning point in the revitalization of India’s rotary-wing capability for all naval forces. Its restored serviceability is anticipated to directly increase force multipliers at sea and fortify self-reliance in military aviation support, given the significant reliance on the Dhruv as an indigenous platform.
