New Delhi, May 6: Following the recent crash of an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, the Indian Army has taken the decision to temporarily ground its entire fleet of ALH Dhruv helicopters, according to military sources.
The incident in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, occurred when an ALH Dhruv with three occupants experienced a “hard landing,” resulting in a crash. Tragically, a technician lost his life, and two pilots sustained injuries.
As a precautionary measure, the Army has decided to ground the ALH Dhruv fleet until further notice, as confirmed by the sources. This decision comes in the wake of two similar incidents involving ALH Dhruv helicopters in March, which led to the Navy and the Coast Guard grounding their respective fleets of these helicopters.
The ALH Dhruv helicopters with the Navy and the Coast Guard are currently undergoing thorough technical checks. Those helicopters that have successfully passed the scrutiny process have been given clearance to resume operations and are currently back in service, as stated by a reliable source.
Notably, the Indian Air Force operates approximately 70 ALH Dhruv helicopters, and their operations are unaffected at this time.
The temporary grounding of the ALH Dhruv fleet by the Army reflects a precautionary approach to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel and equipment. Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, and the necessary measures will be taken based on the findings to prevent similar incidents in the future.
