Indian Navy Inducts ALH MK III Helicopters

The Indian Navy inducted a pair of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) MK IIIs into its 321 Flight at INS Shikra naval helicopter base in Mumbai on Friday.

Built indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), these helicopters are equipped with systems that were previously present only on heavier, multi-role helicopters of the Indian Navy.

The helicopter is equipped with modern surveillance, communication, safety and survival equipment. The ALH MK III is a force multiplier at sea as well as ashore as it can be deployed for coastal security, SAR/HADR tasks & other operational deployments, the Navy said in a statement.

They feature modern surveillance radar and electro-optical equipment to carry out maritime reconnaissance as well as long-range search and rescue missions.

The choppers are also equipped with a heavy machine gun for constabulary missions and a removable Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) to airlift critically ill patients.