Grounded No More: ALH Dhruv Helicopters Roar Back Into Army & Air Force Skies

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced today that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv variants used by the Indian Army and Air Force have been cleared for operations. This significant development follows a comprehensive safety review and recommendations from the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee, which was constituted after the grounding of over 330 ALH Dhruv helicopters in the wake of a crash in Porbandar in January 2025.

 

The DI Committee’s investigation addressed all safety concerns, and a time-bound, phased plan for the resumption of operations has been coordinated with the armed services. HAL emphasized its commitment to working closely with the Indian Army and Air Force to ensure the helicopters’ operational readiness and safety.

 

The clearance comes after weeks of intense scrutiny and speculation regarding the indigenous 5.5-tonne helicopter’s reliability. HAL has strongly defended the integrity of its platforms and criticized what it described as “malicious” and “speculative” narratives circulating in some quarters. The company reiterated its confidence in resolving complex issues inherent in defence aeronautics and maintaining transparent communication with its customers.

 

With this clearance, the ALH Dhruv fleet is set to return to active duty, restoring a critical component of India’s military aviation capabilities.

 

Source: Times of India