ALH Fleet Grounded, Excluded from Army Parade, R-Day Flypast in Doubt

Uncertainty surrounds the participation of India’s homegrown Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Fleet and its armed Rudra variant in the upcoming Republic Day flypast. The defense forces have grounded all ALH units for a routine safety check following a tragic accident involving a Coast Guard ALH on January 5. The crash resulted in the death of two pilots and an aircrew diver. The crash has prompted authorities to assess the safety of the ALH fleet before it can take part in any future events. The incident occurred over Porbandar in Gujarat when the aircraft suddenly crashed. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.

These ALH helicopters have been adapted to the military’s flypasts during more important national events, among them the Republic Day and Army Day parades. However, due to safety reasons, the Dhruv helicopters are not featured as part of the 77th Army Day parade. Instead of Dhruv, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters will participate in the event.

Grounding and Safety Inspections of ALH Fleet

The three services and the coast guard together operate around 330 ALHs, and the army and the air force account for more than 90 Rudra helicopters all of them were grounded after the January 5 crash, along with seven to eight ALHs operated by the Border Security Force and civil entities.

“The Dhruv helicopters have been grounded given some flight safety issues,” said a senior official with knowledge of the development. This development came close on the heels of the fatal accident during a routine training sortie of the Coast Guard when the ALH again proved unfortunate after a string of mishaps that had started rearing questions on the fleet’s safety.

Investigation and Analysis of the Crash

To understand the reason behind the January 5 crash, the wreckage of ALH would be shifted to Bengaluru within a short time for detailed analysis by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL had designed and manufactured the helicopter. The Integrated Drive System, transmission system, gearbox, and rotor hub of the helicopter would be taken over by the Indian Air Force for shifting it. Another official said, “The wreckage is being flown to Bengaluru, where detailed checks will be carried out to pinpoint what caused the crash.”

The investigation is expected to last up to two weeks. During this period, HAL will focus on finding any problems within the mechanical and safety systems of the helicopter. Should any faults be found, “it may take time to rectify the problem,” said a third official who did not want his name mentioned in the matter.

Safety Record of ALH Comes Under Scanner

The ALH has been involved in approximately 15 accidents over the past five years, raising concerns over its safety. In 2023, a series of accidents led to a comprehensive design review of the helicopter, including the replacement of booster control rods. These rods are critical in controlling the helicopter’s movement, and failures could severely affect power transmission to the rotor blades, potentially leading to crashes.

Despite multiple attempts to improve safety the safety record of the ALH fleet remains concerning. During a upgradation, in 2023 a faulty aluminum booster control rods was replaced with new steel once. The fleet has been involved in a series of accidents, raising serious concerns. This ongoing issue has put additional focus on the need for further safety enhancements. This led the Coast Guard to suspend the operations of the ALH fleet last September after a similar crash near Porbandar resulted in the deaths of two pilots and an aircrew diver.

Safety Inspections and Design Review Extensive

Following the recent series of accidents, HAL has carried out a thorough safety inspection of the Dhruv fleet. This will cover all the important safety components like the main drive flexible shaft, rotor assemblies, control systems, and actuators. These checks are part of an ongoing effort to address flight safety concerns and prevent future accidents.

Earlier this year, in April 2023, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification of the Government had already sought a design review of the ALH’s booster control rods due to earlier accidents with the helicopter. This was a step to upgrade the airworthiness of the helicopter and rebuild confidence in the safety of the fleet.

Effect on Republic Day Flypast

Three Coast Guard ALHs were supposed to join this year’s Republic Day flypast along with helicopters from the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The crash on January 5 is now under investigation. Due to safety concerns, which are yet to be cleared, and the grounding of the Dhruv fleet, the helicopters will not participate.

The Republic Day will still feature the helicopters of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, but this year, it saw a major shift in the norm as Dhruv ALH and its armed version, the Rudra, are not in the lineup.