The Indian Navy has inducted three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) MK III helicopters to boost maritime reconnaissance capabilities.
The three Maritime Reconnaissance and Coastal Security (MRCS) helicopters were inducted in a ceremony at Naval Air Station, INS Dega, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam.
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Built indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the ALH MK III helicopters are equipped with systems that were previously present only on heavier, multi-role helicopters of the Indian Navy.
They feature modern surveillance radar and electro-optical equipment to carry out maritime reconnaissance as well as long-range search and rescue missions, both by day and night.
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.
This comes as the Indian Navy has ramped up efforts to modernise its ageing helicopter fleet.
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By GlobalDataAccording to a Hindustan Times report, the naval forces is expected to receive two MH-60R helicopters from the US next month and another one around the end of this year.
Currently, a team from India are stationed in the US to receive training on the flying machines.
These multi-role helicopters can be equipped with torpedoes and missiles and will significantly boost the navy’s anti-submarine/anti-ship warfare and surveillance capabilities.
Recently, the Government of India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a major project to build six new conventional submarines for the Indian Navy.
The project is estimated to cost around $5.88bn (Rs430bn).
