India Boosts Dominance At Sea: HAL Plays Pivotal Role As Indian Coast Guard Receives ALH Mk III Helicopters

New Delhi: India's dominance in the maritime domain has grown. On Friday, during an event held in Bengaluru, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over four ALH Mk III Maritime Role (MR) helicopters to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). With this delivery, the company also adhered strictly to the stipulated timeline.

The documentation for the helicopters was handed over to the Coast Guard squadrons stationed in Kochi and Porbandar. This delivery constitutes a part of the contract signed in March 2024 for the procurement of nine ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters. Prior to this, HAL had delivered 16 ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters to the Coast Guard by 2022. An additional order for six more helicopters was signed in March 2026.

What Types of Missions are Supported?

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest lauded HAL's efforts in ensuring the timely delivery of the helicopters, noting that this would significantly enhance the capabilities of the ICG's rotary-wing fleet. The ALH Mk III (MR) is the maritime variant of the indigenous 'Dhruv' Advanced Light Helicopter. It is a multi-role, twin-engine platform designed for demanding maritime operations, including surveillance, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, coastal security, law enforcement, VIP transport, troop movement, logistics support, and anti-piracy missions.

Will This Strengthen Operational Readiness?

Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, a modern 'glass cockpit,' and night-operation capabilities, the ALH Mk III (MR) is expected to significantly bolster the Indian Coast Guard's operational readiness across diverse maritime environments.