The Indian government has cleared the resumption of the operation of the Army and Air Force versions of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, which have been grounded for over three months. The clearance was based on the recommendations of the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee, defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said on Thursday (May 1).
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dont-target-kashmiris-muslims-appeals-widow-of-navy-officer-killed-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-9023200">'Don't target Kashmiris, Muslims', appeals widow of Navy officer killed in Pahalgam terror attack</a>
&ldquo;In furtherance of the clarification dated 11th April 2025, it is now intimated that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Army and Air Force versions are cleared for operations based on the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee recommendations. A time-bound plan for the resumption of operations has been worked out with the users,&rdquo; HAL said in a statement on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-ma5hy1rm-v8wwa7yh-2biihfn3">
In furtherance to the clarification dated 11th April 2025, it is now intimated that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Army and Air Force versions are cleared for operations based on the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee recommendations.
&mdash; HAL (@HALHQBLR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1917906189184340007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard versions of the choppers will continue to be grounded as the investigations are still ongoing.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-hunt-down-every-perpetrator-amit-shahs-warning-to-terrorists-on-pahalgam-attack-9023281">&lsquo;Will hunt down every perpetrator&rsquo;: Amit Shah&rsquo;s warning to terrorists on Pahalgam attack</a>
The choppers were grounded following a crash earlier this year in which an Indian Coast Guard chopper crashed in Gujarat&rsquo;s Porbandar, killing three personnel, including two pilots and one aircrew member. After the incident, a Board of Inquiry was launched.
According to officials, the incident occurred during a routine training sortie when the ICG ALH MK-III helicopter crashed while landing at Porbandar airport. Since the tragic incident, the choppers had been grounded.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-pakistan-disowns-its-people-refusal-to-open-border-for-hours-leaves-many-stranded-at-wagah-attari-9022968">Pahalgam attack: Pakistan disowns its people? Refusal to open border for hours leaves many stranded at Wagah-Attari</a>
The helicopters were given limited permission to fly following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam, to operate in Srinagar and the adjoining area for troop induction, ANI reported.
On April 22, 26 people, mainly tourists, were gunned down by terrorists in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam in a horrific terror attack. Since the attack, the tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating.

The choppers were grounded following a crash earlier this year in which an Indian Coast Guard chopper crashed in Gujarat’s Porbandar, killing three personnel, including two pilots and one aircrew member. India news

The Indian government has cleared the resumption of the operation of the Army and Air Force versions of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, which have been grounded for over three months. The clearance was based on the recommendations of the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee, defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said on Thursday (May 1). Also read | 'Don't target Kashmiris, Muslims', appeals widow of Navy officer killed in Pahalgam terror attack “In furtherance of the clarification dated 11th April 2025, it is now intimated that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Army and Air Force versions are cleared for operations based on the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee recommendations. A time-bound plan for the resumption of operations has been worked out with the users,” HAL said in a statement on X. In furtherance to the clarification dated 11th April 2025, it is now intimated that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Army and Air Force versions are cleared for operations based on the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee recommendations. — HAL (@HALHQBLR) May 1, 2025 The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard versions of the choppers will continue to be grounded as the investigations are still ongoing. Also read | ‘Will hunt down every perpetrator’: Amit Shah’s warning to terrorists on Pahalgam attack The choppers were grounded following a crash earlier this year in which an Indian Coast Guard chopper crashed in Gujarat’s Porbandar, killing three personnel, including two pilots and one aircrew member. After the incident, a Board of Inquiry was launched. According to officials, the incident occurred during a routine training sortie when the ICG ALH MK-III helicopter crashed while landing at Porbandar airport. Since the tragic incident, the choppers had been grounded. Also read | Pahalgam attack: Pakistan disowns its people? Refusal to open border for hours leaves many stranded at Wagah-Attari The helicopters were given limited permission to fly following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, to operate in Srinagar and the adjoining area for troop induction, ANI reported. On April 22, 26 people, mainly tourists, were gunned down by terrorists in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam in a horrific terror attack. Since the attack, the tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating.

Indian govt clears operation of Army, Air Force versions of ALH Dhruv choppers

Asia’s biggest aviation gathering kicked off in Singapore, on Tuesday (Feb 20), where the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) showcased India’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv for the first time. China’s C919 airliner, a potential rival to Western-made Boeing and Airbus planes, also staged a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow on its first trip outside Chinese territory.&nbsp;

<h2>About the aviation gathering in Singapore</h2>

The biennial commercial and defence-focussed Singapore Airshow witnessed the participation of company executives and high-ranking government officials of more than 1,000 companies from over 50 countries.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Indian Army to convert Uttar Bharat (UB) area into full-fledged Operational Corps

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The event was led by Western aviation giants, Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin and Chinese competitors such as state-owned entities Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).&nbsp;

Countries like Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea and the United States, showcased their military aircraft. The air show also saw the participation of China’s COMAC C919 single-aisle commercial jet and an Airbus A350-1000 powered by 35 per cent aviation fuel.

<h2>HAL’s Dhruv to lead India’s charge in Singapore</h2>

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)&nbsp;manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv operated by the IAF’s Sarang team was a part of the Singapore Airshow for the first time.&nbsp;

“The display is designed to highlight the ALH Dhruv’s agility and manoeuvrability, as well as the high degree of skills of the IAF pilots flying these machines,” said India’s ministry of defence in a statement.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinas-c919-airliner-makes-historic-international-debut-at-singapore-airshow-691593">China's C919 airliner makes historic international debut at Singapore Airshow</a>

The indigenously manufactured ALH and its variants have successfully been inducted and are currently being operated by all the military services of India as a part of the Indian government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat’ initiative.&nbsp;

<h2>China’s first homegrown airliner</h2>

China’s C919 airliner made its international debut, on Sunday (Feb 18) by staging a flyby at the Singapore Airshow. The aircraft, manufactured by the state-owned COMAC took to the skies last May and is seen as a prominent symbol of Beijing’s “Made in China” plan aimed at reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers.

COMAC also posted its first aircraft orders, on Tuesday morning, with China’s Tibet Airlines finalising an order for 40 C919 single-aisle planes and 10 ARJ21 regional jets. Additionally, China’s Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group ordered 6 ARJ21s.

<h2>Russia out, Israel in</h2>

Russian companies such as Russian Helicopters and Irkut which had attended past airshows were not participating this year amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-drones-may-deliver-medicines-if-caa-proposal-goes-through-692006">UK: Drones may deliver medicines if CAA proposal goes through</a>

On the other hand, Israeli companies Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which had opted out of the Dubai Airshow in November amid the war between Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, attended the event in Singapore.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Real return to normal’</h2>

“We see 2024 as a real return to normal,” said Steven Townend, the CEO of Singapore-based aircraft lessor BOC Aviation. He added, “The industry is growing, airlines are making money again on a global basis. For 2024, we’re really positive.”

Notably, the airshow was the first one in six years unaffected by COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions as the industry continued to grapple with a rebound in post-pandemic travel demand amid persistent supply chain issues.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Asia’s biggest aviation gathering kicked off in Singapore, on Tuesday (Feb 20), where the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) showcased India’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv for the first time.

Asia’s biggest aviation gathering kicked off in Singapore, on Tuesday (Feb 20), where the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) showcased India’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv for the first time. China’s C919 airliner, a potential rival to Western-made Boeing and Airbus planes, also staged a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow on its first trip outside Chinese territory. About the aviation gathering in Singapore The biennial commercial and defence-focussed Singapore Airshow witnessed the participation of company executives and high-ranking government officials of more than 1,000 companies from over 50 countries. WATCH | Indian Army to convert Uttar Bharat (UB) area into full-fledged Operational Corps The event was led by Western aviation giants, Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin and Chinese competitors such as state-owned entities Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Countries like Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea and the United States, showcased their military aircraft. The air show also saw the participation of China’s COMAC C919 single-aisle commercial jet and an Airbus A350-1000 powered by 35 per cent aviation fuel. HAL’s Dhruv to lead India’s charge in Singapore The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv operated by the IAF’s Sarang team was a part of the Singapore Airshow for the first time. “The display is designed to highlight the ALH Dhruv’s agility and manoeuvrability, as well as the high degree of skills of the IAF pilots flying these machines,” said India’s ministry of defence in a statement. Also Read | China's C919 airliner makes historic international debut at Singapore Airshow The indigenously manufactured ALH and its variants have successfully been inducted and are currently being operated by all the military services of India as a part of the Indian government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat’ initiative. China’s first homegrown airliner China’s C919 airliner made its international debut, on Sunday (Feb 18) by staging a flyby at the Singapore Airshow. The aircraft, manufactured by the state-owned COMAC took to the skies last May and is seen as a prominent symbol of Beijing’s “Made in China” plan aimed at reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers. COMAC also posted its first aircraft orders, on Tuesday morning, with China’s Tibet Airlines finalising an order for 40 C919 single-aisle planes and 10 ARJ21 regional jets. Additionally, China’s Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group ordered 6 ARJ21s. Russia out, Israel in Russian companies such as Russian Helicopters and Irkut which had attended past airshows were not participating this year amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Also Read | UK: Drones may deliver medicines if CAA proposal goes through On the other hand, Israeli companies Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which had opted out of the Dubai Airshow in November amid the war between Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, attended the event in Singapore. ‘Real return to normal’ “We see 2024 as a real return to normal,” said Steven Townend, the CEO of Singapore-based aircraft lessor BOC Aviation. He added, “The industry is growing, airlines are making money again on a global basis. For 2024, we’re really positive.” Notably, the airshow was the first one in six years unaffected by COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions as the industry continued to grapple with a rebound in post-pandemic travel demand amid persistent supply chain issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Singapore Airshow: India’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv participates in Asia’s biggest aviation event

In a major boost to further strengthen the Coast Guard Region East, an Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III squadron was commissioned in Chennai on November 30. Indian Coast Guard Director General VS Pathania speaks to WION on the same.

Indian coast guard to operate drones from ships & air stations: DG ICG to WION