Aero India 2025, one of the country’s premier defense exhibitions, has showcased the might of Indian military aviation. However, one significant omission has left aviation enthusiasts and military experts talking—the absence of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.
Traditionally, the ALH aerobatic team Sarang has been a showstopper at Indian airshows, displaying the agility and prowess of the indigenous helicopter. But following a tragic crash in January, the entire fleet of 330 ALHs has been grounded, sparking renewed concerns about its safety and reliability.
The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, developed by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been a backbone of rotary-wing operations for all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. However, a series of accidents over the years have raised questions about the chopper’s reliability.
The most recent crash, involving an ALH of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), took place on January 5, 2025, in Porbandar, Gujarat. The crash claimed the lives of three crew members, including two pilots and an aircrew diver. The helicopter was returning from a routine training sortie when it went down while attempting to land at the Porbandar airport.
This was the third such incident in just over four months. In September 2024, an ICG ALH Dhruv crashed into the sea off Gujarat’s coast while approaching the Indian-flagged motor tanker Hari Leela, killing two pilots. A month later, in October 2024, another ALH, operated by the Indian Air Force, was forced to make an emergency landing during a flood relief mission in Bihar due to a technical snag.
Amid growing concerns, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has defended the ALH’s design, asserting that the helicopter itself is not at fault. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of Aero India 2025, HAL Chief Dr. D.K. Sunil stressed that the aircraft had been rigorously checked by NLR-Netherlands Aerospace Centre and found to be structurally sound.
“There is no problem with the design. The NLR lab in the Netherlands has reviewed it and certified it,” Dr. Sunil said. “The helicopter has flown over 4.5 lakh hours since its induction in 2004.”
He acknowledged, however, that training and maintenance protocols may need adjustments. HAL is currently working with the Indian Coast Guard to examine their maintenance practices and determine whether any changes are required.
Since its induction, the ALH Dhruv has experienced 28 crashes, with varying causes:
- 13 crashes were due to technical faults.
- 13 crashes were attributed to human error.
- 2 crashes had unknown causes.
The most recent Porbandar crash was linked to a swash plate fracture, a critical component responsible for controlling rotor blade pitch. A detailed investigation by the Defect Investigation Team is underway, with a report expected in three weeks.
This is not the first time the ALH fleet has been grounded. In 2023, the armed forces had to ground all 330 ALH helicopters after a series of four major accidents. The Indian Army, which operates the largest ALH fleet (96 standard ALHs and 75 armed Rudra variants), was particularly affected.
In May 2023, two Indian Army pilots lost their lives when their ALH crashed in Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly due to a “loss of power.” This incident led to a comprehensive safety review of all 170 Army ALHs.
A similar situation arose in October 2022, when an ALH MK IV variant crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, killing five personnel. Investigations later pointed to control rod failure as a contributing factor.
The control rod, a vital component that transfers power from the engines to the rotor blades, has been a focal point of HAL’s safety improvements. Initially made of aluminum, HAL has begun replacing these with steel control rods to enhance durability and fatigue tolerance.
Additionally, HAL has mandated more frequent inspections—control rods now require checks every 100 flight hours, down from the previous 300-hour inspection interval.
Despite these measures, concerns remain about whether these modifications are sufficient to restore confidence in the aircraft.
India’s efforts to export the ALH faced a major setback in 2015 when Ecuador, the first foreign buyer of the Dhruv, grounded its entire fleet following multiple crashes. The Ecuadorian government subsequently canceled its ALH order and put its remaining helicopters up for sale.
The issue escalated into a diplomatic dispute, with India suing Ecuador over the contract termination. The debacle cast a long shadow over the ALH’s international reputation.
Despite past challenges, newer variants of the ALH have generated interest from several countries. The ALH MK III, designed for maritime operations, has been evaluated by Argentina, the Philippines, and several North African nations.
The MK III variant is equipped with:
- Shakti engines (a joint venture between HAL and French firm Safran)
- Electro-optical payloads
- Night vision compatibility
- Advanced maritime patrol radar
The MK IV, known as Rudra, is an armed version tailored for attack, close air support, and high-altitude missions. In September 2023, an Argentinian military delegation visited India to evaluate the MK III and MK IV. Argentina has been considering an order for 20 units.
Similarly, the Philippines has expressed interest in acquiring seven ALH MK III helicopters for its Coast Guard, following a successful customer demonstration in Goa.
The ALH remains a cornerstone of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative in defense manufacturing. HAL has produced over 400 ALH helicopters, supplying them to the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.
The aircraft is also in use by nations like the Maldives, Mauritius, and Nepal. One unit has even been leased to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Despite setbacks, HAL continues to refine the ALH platform, aiming to improve safety and reliability. The company hopes that with enhanced maintenance protocols and structural upgrades, the helicopter will regain trust among its operators.
With Aero India 2025 highlighting India’s indigenous aviation capabilities, the absence of the ALH serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in domestic aircraft production. The pending crash investigation report will be crucial in determining the future of the ALH fleet.
For now, HAL and the Indian Armed Forces face the uphill task of restoring confidence in the aircraft while addressing safety concerns through improved training, maintenance, and component upgrades.
It remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to prevent further incidents and ensure the ALH’s continued role in India’s military and export ambitions.
