The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are preparing to restore their fleet of HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to operational status following an extended grounding.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed its internal probe into the technical issues that led to the suspension of flights and has formally identified corrective measures to resolve the recurring concerns.

The grounding was initiated after safety incidents involving the Dhruv prompted a thorough review of mechanical reliability and operational procedures.

The investigation focused on issues related to critical systems, including the rotor assembly, control linkages, and availability of spares, all of which were key to addressing fleet-wide airworthiness.

HAL has submitted a technical advisory to the Navy and Coast Guard, outlining comprehensive repair and retrofit processes. The recommendations cover component redesign, replacement of vulnerable subsystems, and modifications in the inspection regime to enhance safety margins. The proposals have been accepted by the Services, clearing the path for phased rectification.

Repairs and corrective actions are scheduled to commence within a month, carried out under close collaboration between HAL technicians and Service maintenance crews.

Priority is being given to frontline units to replenish operational squadrons deployed along the coasts and aboard warships that depend on the Dhruv for surveillance, transport, and search-and-rescue duties.

The phased induction back into service is expected to significantly ease helicopter shortages within the Navy and Coast Guard, both of which had been constrained in maritime patrol and offshore response tasks due to the grounding.

The Dhruv’s return will be critical to supporting coastal security missions, anti-piracy patrols, and humanitarian relief operations.

Longer-term measures are also being instituted to reinforce confidence in the platform. HAL has outlined a roadmap to improve component lifecycle management, enhance on-condition maintenance frameworks, and accelerate readiness for newer DHRUV MK-III and MK-IV variants.

These steps are aimed not only at regaining fleet confidence but also at ensuring sustainability of operational availability over the coming years.

The move is seen as a key inflection point in revitalising India’s rotary-wing availability across maritime forces. Given the heavy reliance on the Dhruv as an indigenous platform, its restored serviceability is expected to directly boost force multipliers at sea and strengthen self-reliance in military aviation support.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)