Dhruv set to fly over Andes

Chile first evinced interest in the ALH early in 2004, and South Block sent former IAF chief S Krishnaswamy along with a high-level IAF and HAL team to Santiago last year to give a first-hand demonstration of the chopper’s versatility in an environment that included high-altitude operations in the Andes.

The ALH was in competition with American and European multi-role helicopters but was apparently found more cost-effective, and easier to operate. The export version of the ALH will have a glass cockpit and avionics suites integrated by Israeli defence firm IAI, with which HAL has a technical and marketing tie-up. Two ALHs have so far been exported to Nepal and one given to Israel on lease.

Commercial enquiries about Dhruv shot up after the chopper’s flight demonstrations at the Le Bourget airshow earlier this year. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam and Australia have also shown interest in buying the helicopter.

The ALH will also be inducted into the Indian armed forces in large numbers. In fact, the Defence Minister made it a point to make a mention of the helicopter as an indigenous achievement when he addressed troops in Manipur and Assam last week.