India In Talks With Sri Lanka, Southeast Nations For Dhruv Helicopter Supply

India is in discussions with Sri Lanka and several Southeast Asian nations for the supply of Dhruv indigenously developed advanced light helicopter (ALH).

The delivery of defence equipment and providing assistance in setting up domestic manufacturing capability have become a part of efforts to enhance defence cooperation and boost exports with friendly countries,

Apart from queries, "there is talk with Vietnam, Myanmar and Sri Lanka for ALH,” T. Suvarna Raju, Chief Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) was quoted as saying by The Hindu today.

Another official said discussions with Indonesia were progressing well. Officials from India were expected to visit Jakarta in April.

India is giving priority on maintenance and training, following its experience of Dhruv ALH sales to Ecuador, which got embroiled in legal issues.

In 2009, India bagged a deal to supply seven of these helicopters to Ecuador worth $45.2 million after defeating several global platforms.

However, the Indian government's excitement was short-lived as four of them crashed. In October 2015, Ecuador unilaterally terminated the contract and in 2016, put the three helicopters on sale.

Following this, HAL had moved a local court there. Of the four crashes, two had been attributed to pilot error and one to mechanical failure.