Article Posted on : - Feb 09, 2012

Dhruv at the Aero India, Bangalore. BNS photo

BAREILLY, UP (PTI): The first batch of Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' Mk-III has been inducted at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station here.

Air Marshal P S Gill, Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command, Allahabad presided the induction ceremony of the 10 Mk-III helicopters.

Later talking to mediapersons, Air Marshal Gill said that Mk-III version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) is a light multi-role and multi-mission helicopter.

The helicopter, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, differs from the previous version of ALH in terms of the more powerful 'Shakti' engines, full glass cockpit and the integrated Electronic Warfare suite, he said.

The various systems integrated into the chopper makes it a highly manoeuvrable and potent platform for military operations both in day as well as night hours.

The ALH Mk-III is being inducted into 111 Helicopter Unit (111 HU), which was earlier operating with Chetak and Cheetah helicopters.

With the new induction, the helicopter unit would be better equipped to continue the task of humanitarian relief, casualty evacuation from the Himalayan ranges as well as search and rescue operations along with regular military operations.