VASCO
Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik on Monday said the six helicopters delivered by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would play a major role in the surveillance and coastal security of the nation.
Speaking to reporters after commissioning the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH Mk III aircraft, in the State, Naik said 18 more helicopters would be delivered and then be sent from Goa to other states to boost the coastal security.
"Six helicopters built by HAL under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative are being introduced and handed over to the Navy. We will get another 18 helicopters in the future which will then be sent from Goa to other coastal states for coastal security and surveillance.”
Naik said that the ALH MK III project was signed on March 29, 2017, and HAL has delivered 6 helicopters to the Indian Navy in 2021.
"HAL conceptualised the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) in 1984 and carried out its first trial with Indian Navy in 1998, following which the first ALH was inducted in the Navy in 2002.”
“We now have an advanced version of ALH joining the Navy for shore-based operation. Production of the advanced maritime version of ALH is an example of the close coordination between Indian Navy and HAL.”
“The ALH has rendered great service in recent times including the relief operations in Kerala, Maharashtra and Karnataka and in addition, also participated in numerous search and rescue operations and casualty evacuations from ships at sea," said Naik.
