India approves more Dhruvs, but where are the LUHs and LCHs?
The Indian Army has been approved to buy 25 ALH Mk III helicopters such as this one. (Gordon Arthur)
India orders more Dhruv helicopters, but production approval for the LUH and LCH is lagging.
When India’s Defence Acquisition Council met on 29 September, it approved the purchase of additional Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Indian Army.
The 'acceptance of necessity' approval covered 25 of these Dhruv ALH Mk III helicopters ‘to improve the army’s integral lift capability ensuring its operational readiness’.
The batch built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will cost the Indian government INR38.5 billion ($515.9 million), which equates to a unit cost of $20 million per Dhruv.
A recent Indian Today article recorded the presumed flight cost per hour of the Dhruv. As seen written on the door of an in-service ALH, it
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![France to buy more Rafale jets and invest €1.5 billion in upgrading air base]()
France to buy more Rafale jets and invest €1.5 billion in upgrading air base
The Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur air base will be modernised to ensure it can host nuclear weapons as France continues efforts to boost its nuclear deterrence.
-
![South Korea and Singapore partner with Shield AI to develop autonomous flight technologies]()
South Korea and Singapore partner with Shield AI to develop autonomous flight technologies
Both contracts will see Shield AI work with Korea Aerospace Industries and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) on autonomous flight operations for UAVs, leveraging the company’s Hivemind technology.
-
![Sweden procures third batch of Meteor missiles for Gripen aircraft]()
Sweden procures third batch of Meteor missiles for Gripen aircraft
This third order from the FMV for the long-range anti-aircraft missile system is part of the Swedish Armed Forces’ effort to increase its air defence capabilities.
-
![Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief]()
Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief
Canada has stated its intention to reassess its acquisition of the F-35, amid the ongoing US-trade war, with Defence Minister Bill Blair saying it is “examining alternatives” with other aircraft manufacturers.
-
![HevenDrones and Mach Industries partner to boost drone production]()
HevenDrones and Mach Industries partner to boost drone production
Production will focus on HevenDrones’ H100, H2D55 and Raider uncrewed aerial vehicles, with the aim to scale up production to hundreds a month depending on demand.
