Navy makes U turn to induct First Naval ALH squadron in Kochi The Indian Navy is understood to be reconsidering its decision not to induct any more indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to a flight of eight shore-based platforms it operates at present on search and rescue (SAR) missions. According to top sources in naval aviation, the force will raise its maiden ALH squadron, to be named INAS 322, in Kochi in early November. The Navy had earlier turned its back on the 5.5 tonne ALH, dismayed as it was over the dimensions of the ‘unfoldable’ helicopter-blade which rendered the otherwise successful platform incompatible for ship-borne operations. With the platform falling out of favour, all the ALH operated by the Navy were moved to Kochi sometime ago and their role largely limited to search and rescue. In the meantime, the platform was extensively used for trial of the dunking sonar Mihir, a ‘technology demonstrator’ indigenously developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), an institution under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The lab is currently developing an advanced version of low-frequency dunking sonar, which it is hopeful of inducting into the Navy in future. “There’s a shortage of helicopters in the Navy in all categories and acquisition processes are moving pretty slow. Which is one of the reasons why the force is contemplating buying more ALHs, which fall in the light-medium category,” said a senior official. Another senior officer, on condition of anonymity, said with the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya arriving at Karwar in late December/early January, some of the ALHs would be dispatched to Karwar to carry out night-flying operations from the carrier. Meanwhile, the Navy is said to have taken a keen interest in the under- development weaponised version of ALH Dhruv, called Rudra, for conducting coastal surveillance and security operations. Developed by HAL, the Rudra underwent extensive trials over the sea in Kochi late last year, where its sensors reportedly fared exceedingly well, tracking vessels from as far as 12 to 14 kms.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 15:48:41 +0000
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