The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, one of India’s indigenous helicopters designed for multipurpose military operations, faced yet another setback as an Indian Air Force (IAF) unit made an emergency landing while conducting flood relief operations. This incident, which took place on October 2, 2023, in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, highlights growing concerns over the safety and reliability of the helicopter fleet that has witnessed multiple accidents in recent years.
The IAF helicopter involved in flood relief operations encountered a significant technical snag while airborne. The pilot, demonstrating exceptional presence of mind, safely landed the aircraft in a waterlogged area near Nayagaon village in the Aurai block of Muzaffarpur district. According to Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary of Disaster Management, the pilot’s swift decision to land the helicopter in shallow water after the engine failure was instrumental in preventing a major disaster. All four personnel onboard were unharmed, and a potential loss of life and property was successfully averted.
This marks the second emergency incident involving an ALH within a month, following a Coast Guard helicopter mishap in September.
String of Incidents in 2023: A Year Plagued by Accidents
The incident in Bihar is part of a larger pattern of technical failures and mishaps involving the ALH Dhruv in 2023. The frequency of these incidents has raised alarm across India’s defense forces and brought attention to the helicopter’s operational reliability.
Just a month earlier, in September 2023, an ALH belonging to the Indian Coast Guard made a forced ditching at sea, approximately 45 kilometers off the Gujarat coast. The helicopter, with four personnel onboard, was en route to perform a medical evacuation from the Indian-flagged motor tanker Hari Leela when it encountered technical issues. As a precautionary measure, the Coast Guard grounded its entire ALH fleet pending a thorough safety review.
This, however, was not an isolated event. Throughout 2023, India’s armed forces have grounded their ALH fleets multiple times. Approximately 330 twin-engine ALHs are currently operated across the armed forces, with the Indian Army holding the largest share, comprising 96 ALHs and 75 armed variants known as Rudra. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy also deploy around 70 and 50 ALHs, respectively, while the Coast Guard manages a smaller portion.
May 2023: The Fatal Crash in Jammu & Kashmir
In one of the most tragic incidents of the year, two Indian Army pilots were killed on May 4, 2023, when their ALH crashed in Jammu & Kashmir. The crash, attributed to a “loss of power,” prompted the Indian Army to ground its entire fleet of 170 ALHs for a comprehensive safety check. This was the third grounding of the fleet since October 2022, when an ALH MK IV variant crashed near Migging in Arunachal Pradesh, killing all five onboard.
The grounding of the ALH fleet for safety checks has become a recurring theme as a result of repeated accidents. In March 2023, all three branches of India’s armed forces — the Army, Air Force, and Navy — simultaneously grounded their respective ALH fleets following an incident where a Navy ALH had to ditch in the sea due to a sudden loss of power. The helicopter’s design and technical reliability have come under intense scrutiny as a result of these incidents.
HAL’s Response: Safety Checks and Control Rod Issues
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run manufacturer of the ALH, conducted a detailed investigation into the recent spate of accidents. HAL identified several technical issues, including failures related to the control rods — critical components responsible for transferring power from the engines to the main and tail rotors. These control rods are essential for maintaining the aircraft’s flight control, enabling the pilot to control the helicopter’s direction and pitch.
The control rod failures have been traced to metallurgical problems. The current control rods in many ALH helicopters are made from aluminum, but HAL has since opted to replace them with steel in some helicopters to enhance durability and fatigue tolerance. The frequency of inspections for control rods has also been increased — from every 300 hours of flight to every 100 hours — to detect potential failures earlier.
This is not the first time ALH operations have been halted for technical reasons. In 2006, the entire fleet was grounded due to issues with the helicopter’s tail rotor, and again in 2014, after a fatal crash. The persistence of metallurgical issues with critical components like the gearbox control rod has cast a shadow over the reliability of the Dhruv in critical missions, both in peacetime operations such as flood relief and in military engagements.
Dhruv’s Troubled Past
The Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, despite its ambitious goals and indigenous production, has had a rocky history. The helicopter, which belongs to the 5.5-tonne class and is designed for multi-mission roles, was envisioned as a game-changer for India’s defense forces. However, since its introduction, the Dhruv has been involved in numerous incidents, some of which have been fatal.
One of the most tragic accidents occurred in July 2014, when an ALH crashed near Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, killing all seven crew members onboard. The helicopter had logged just two hours of flying time after being serviced at Bareilly, raising concerns over maintenance standards and quality control at HAL.
Another high-profile incident took place in October 2019 when former Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh and eight others were injured in a crash in the Poonch sector. The series of accidents not only eroded confidence within the Indian armed forces but also affected the helicopter’s reputation abroad.
In addition to domestic accidents, the Dhruv ALH has faced setbacks on the international stage. India exported several ALH units to Ecuador, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense exports. However, a series of crashes in Ecuador between 2009 and 2015 prompted the South American nation to ground its entire fleet of ALHs and put them up for sale. Ecuador also canceled its remaining order for additional units, causing a diplomatic rift between the two countries. India, in turn, filed a lawsuit against the Ecuadorian government for the unilateral cancellation of the contract, a legal battle that continues to this day.
ALH MK III and MK IV Variants
Despite the challenges, there is hope that newer variants of the Dhruv — specifically the MK III and MK IV models — will redeem the helicopter’s reputation. The ALH MK III variant, in particular, boasts significant improvements over its predecessors, including advanced maritime patrol radar, night vision capability, and enhanced electronic warfare systems. It is powered by the more reliable Shakti engine, developed through a joint venture between HAL and French engine manufacturer Safran.
The armed variant, ALH MK IV, also known as Rudra, is equipped with sophisticated weaponry for attack and close air support roles. It is designed for high-altitude operations and comes with advanced defensive systems like automatic chaff and flare dispensers.
In September 2023, a team from Argentina conducted trials of both the MK III and MK IV variants at HAL’s Bangalore facility. Reports from the trials were positive, with Argentinian pilots expressing satisfaction with the performance of the helicopters. Argentina is considering placing an order for 20 units, signaling potential international success for the upgraded versions of the Dhruv.
Despite the ongoing technical issues, the Indian government remains committed to the ALH program. In a recent development, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a proposal for the procurement of 34 new ALH Dhruv helicopters. Nine of these will be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard, while the remaining 25 will be delivered to the Indian Army. This move underscores the importance of the Dhruv in India’s defense strategy, particularly for disaster relief, search and rescue operations, and military engagements in high-altitude terrains.
The ALH Dhruv remains a critical asset for India’s armed forces, but its troubled safety record cannot be ignored. While HAL has taken steps to address the technical issues that have plagued the fleet, including replacing control rods and enhancing safety checks, the frequency of accidents in 2023 has raised legitimate concerns about the helicopter’s reliability.
Looking ahead, the success of the MK III and MK IV variants, both domestically and internationally, could be key to restoring confidence in the Dhruv program. However, for now, the string of accidents serves as a stark reminder of the challenges India faces in maintaining its indigenous defense capabilities.
As the IAF and other defense branches continue to rely on the ALH for critical operations, ensuring the safety of personnel and enhancing the reliability of the aircraft must remain a top priority.
