India’s Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter ‘ALH Dhruv’ Crash

Context: An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III of the Indian Coast Guard crashed during a training sortie, killing all three on board. This marks the second fatal crash of the ALH Mark-III in the last 4 months.

About Advanced Light Helicopters(ALH) Dhruv

• It is a multi-role and multi-mission light utility helicopter for both military and civil operators.
• It was developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The ALH choppers are operated by all 3 Indian defense forces along with the Indian Coast Guard.
• It is certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• It was designed to replace ageing helicopters like Chetak and Cheetah in the Indian Armed Forces.

Safety Concerns Raised

• Investigation and Grounding: Board of Inquiry have been constituted to investigate the crashes, focusing on flying controls and transmission systems. The entire fleet of around 300 ALH helicopters has been grounded for safety audits.
• Design Issues: Previous crashes highlighted flaws like weaknesses in the booster control rods, affecting control. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has initiated corrective measures, including replacing older components with more durable materials.
• Call for Independent Review: Concerns over the ALH’s safety record have prompted calls for independent inquiries by military aviation veterans.

Recent Crashes and Their Impact

Despite the helicopter’s promising capabilities, the ALH Dhruv has been plagued by multiple crashes, especially in recent years, which have raised questions about its reliability and safety standards.

January 2025 Crash – Porbandar, Gujarat

On January 5, 2025, an ALH Mk-III of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crashed during a routine training sortie at Porbandar airport in Gujarat. The crash claimed the lives of three crew members, including two pilots and an aircrew diver. The incident occurred as the helicopter attempted to land at the airport runway. Although an inquiry has been ordered, the exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined. Following the accident, the Indian Coast Guard grounded its ALH fleet for safety inspections.

September 2024 Crash – Gujarat Coast

In September 2024, another Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv ditched at sea while performing a routine mission off the coast of Gujarat. The accident resulted in the deaths of two pilots. This incident further raised concerns about the operational safety of the Dhruv, especially given the recent increase in accidents involving the helicopter.

October 2024 Emergency Landing – Bihar

An ALH Dhruv, part of the Indian Air Force (IAF), was involved in an emergency landing in October 2024 while performing flood relief operations in Bihar. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing due to a technical snag, but fortunately, there were no fatalities. This incident pointed to potential mechanical issues in the helicopter’s systems.

Previous Accidents

Over the years, the ALH Dhruv has been involved in several fatal crashes:

• In July 2014, an ALH crashed near Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, killing all seven crew members on board.
• In October 2019, an ALH crashed in Poonch, Jammu, injuring several individuals, including Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh.
• In October 2022, an ALH of the Indian Army Aviation crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, killing five crew members.
• In May 2023, two pilots were killed in a crash in Jammu and Kashmir.

These recurrent accidents have prompted the military to ground the fleet several times for extensive safety checks.

Root Causes of the ALH Dhruv Crashes

Several factors have been linked to the crashes of the ALH Dhruv, including:

1. Mechanical Failures

• In 2023, the fleet of ALH helicopters was grounded after incidents involving hydraulic and control rod failures. These issues affected the rotor blades’ power input, compromising the helicopter’s control systems and making it prone to accidents.
• The control rods, a crucial component in the helicopter’s flight control system, were initially made of aluminum but have since been replaced with steel control rods to address this issue.

2. Design Flaws

• The ALH Dhruv was designed with high-altitude performance in mind, but it has faced challenges in terms of long-term durability and maintenance. Some experts have pointed out that the helicopter’s design flaws might be contributing to the series of crashes, especially under demanding operational conditions.

3. Maintenance Issues

• The frequency of accidents involving the ALH Dhruv has raised concerns about the quality of its maintenance and servicing. Some military personnel have voiced dissatisfaction with the quality control standards and engineering practices used by HAL.

The Road Ahead for ALH Dhruv

The Indian military faces significant questions about whether the ALH Dhruv can continue in its role as a workhorse for the country’s defense forces. In response to the growing concerns, HAL and the Indian military have undertaken several measures to improve the safety of the helicopter:

• Safety Inspections: Following the crashes, HAL and military authorities have conducted thorough inspections of the entire fleet to identify and rectify technical issues.
• Upgrades: Newer versions of the ALH, such as the ALH Mk III and Mk IV (Rudra), feature upgraded avionics, engines, and safety systems, but these upgrades have not been enough to completely eliminate the risk of crashes.
• Transparency in Investigations: Following widespread outrage over the crashes, military officials have been urged to provide more transparency in the investigations and release reports to the public.

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