IAF grounds Dhruv fleet following crash

The Indian Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of 40 locally designed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) after one of them crashed on 26 July, killing all seven IAF personnel on board.
Comprehensive checks are to be conducted on all of the twin-engine ALHs before they resume operations.
Flight data recorder of the crashed Dhruv had been recovered from the accident site, and sent to its manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for analysis.
India's military operates some 140 Dhruvs, which have been built by HAL since 2002. On 19 July the Indian Ministry of Defence's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the purchase of 32 additional Dhruvs for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
Since its induction into service over a decade ago, the entire ALH fleet has been grounded several times due to technical problems, stemming principally from limited engine power in its deployment at altitudes above 4,800 m in the Himalayan regions. The IAF operates ALH support missions to sustain Indian Army formations deployed in this inhospitable mountainous region.
Two Dhruvs, have recently gone down in Siachen - in August 2013 and in March this year - and two of seven sold to the Ecuadorian Air Force in 2008 have also crashed.
Meanwhile, Defence Ministeris scheduled to reconsider the long-awaited procurement of 197 light utility helicopters for the IAF and Army Aviation Corps (AAC.
The LUH programme, under which 133 platforms are earmarked for the AAC and 64 for the IAF, is aimed at replacing the Chetak (licence-built Aerospatiale Alouette III) and Cheetah (licence-built Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama) helicopters inducted into service more than four decades ago.
Eurocopter's AS550 Fennec platform is pitted against Russia's Kamov Ka-226 Sergei model in the LUH acquisition. However, the procurement - pending for over a decade - currently stands deferred as it is under federal investigation over corruption charges.
The acquisition was previously cancelled in 2007 following allegations of wrongdoing in the selection procedure.
janes

India Dhruv helicopter likely to be deployed on-board Indian Navy INS Vikramaditya

Indigenously-built Dhruv helicopter is likely to be deployed on INS Vikramaditya for carrying out the role of detecting hostile submarines.
If inducted, ALH will be the first indigenous system to be integrated on the warship, which operates only imported equipment such as the MiG 29K naval combat fighters and the Kamov-31 helicopters.
HAL is undergoing trials for carrying out role of detecting hostile submarines using systems developed by the DRDO.
The system would be tried further before any final decision is taken on deploying the twin-engine chopper on board the carrier.
The Dhruv is also part of the Coast Guard inventory which uses it for search and rescue operations in coastal areas.

Indian Navy commissions Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter squadron

The first Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) squadron was commissioned Tuesday by Western Naval Command.
The ALH, named Dhruv, is the first indigenously designed and manufactured helicopter built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It has proven its multi-role capabilities and its mettle in all the three services of India's armed forces, besides in the Indian Coast Guard, the Border Security Force, and in the inventory of foreign countries.
The newly commissioned squadron would be known as the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 322.
Such machines in the inventory have become imperative for the navy, given the scenario of low-intensity maritime operations and coastal security.
The commissioning ceremony was held at INS Garuda, the Naval Air Station and mother base of the INAS 322.

Certification Next Week, First Rudra Copter To Army At Aero India

With certification complete, the first weaponised ALH Dhruv armed helicopter, christened Rudra, will formally receive certification next week. The Indian Army will receive its first Rudra at Aero India that kicks off on February 6 at the Yelahanka air force base in South India.

Shiv Aroor-livefist

FUERZA AÉREA DE ECUADOR/ECUADORIAN AIR FORCE

Insignia de la Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana/Roundel of the Ecuadorian Air Force


DENEL CHEETAH



SUPER TUCANO


MIRAGE F1



KFIR



KFIR LANZANDO BOMBA DE NAPALM/ KFIR DROPING NAPALM BOMB



SEPECAT JAGUAR, MIRAGE F1, KFIR



SEPECAT JAGUAR



HS 748



DRHUV


DHC-6 TWIN OTTER



Bell 206


Bell 212



Strikemaster


B-727



Alouette III



A-37




T-34



Ecuadorian Air Force/ Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana en Wikipedia

Página web oficial de la Fuerza Aérea Ecuatorina / Ecuadorian Air Force Official Website

India ha donado un Helicóptero a Maldivas/India donates a helicopter to Maldives

La Fuerza de Defensa Nacional de Maldivas (MNDF) ha recibido el helicóptero prometido por el gobierno de la India.
Se trata de un modelo Dhruv fabricado por Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) y se le han aplicado la bandera y títulos de la MNDF. La donación se produce tras la visita a Maldivas del ministro de defensa de la India, con la intención de mejorar la capacidad de búsqueda y rescate de la MNDF.
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Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has received the helicopter pledged by the Indian government.
The “Dhruv” helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been re-painted with Maldivian flag and a sign saying MNDF.
In a joint statement issued after Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony’s visit to Maldives in August Maldives government and Indian High Commission said India would provide a helicopter to improve MNDF’s search and rescue capacity.
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