HAL hands over 4 ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters to Indian Coast Guard

New Delhi/Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over four ALH Mk III Maritime Role (MR) helicopters to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), adhering to the committed delivery timeline and bolstering the force’s maritime operational capabilities.

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The handover ceremony was held in Bengaluru in the presence of DIG Rajesh Makwana, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard), and HAL’s Chief Executive Officer, Helicopter Complex, P. B. Rangarao. The helicopter documents were formally transferred by the Office of the Regional Director, Aeronautical Quality Assurance (ORDAQA), along with HAL’s Helicopter Division, to Coast Guard squadrons based in Kochi and Porbandar.

The deliveries form part of a contract for nine ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters signed between HAL and the Coast Guard in March 2024. With this, HAL continues to maintain its delivery commitments while supporting the expansion of the Coast Guard’s rotary-wing fleet. The Chief Guest on the occasion commended HAL for ensuring timely deliveries aimed at enhancing maritime security preparedness.

HAL had earlier delivered 16 ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters to the Coast Guard till 2022. In a further boost to indigenous defence manufacturing, an additional order for six helicopters was placed in March 2026.

The ALH Mk III (MR) is the maritime variant of the indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and is designed as a multi-role, twin-engine platform. It is capable of undertaking a wide range of operations, including maritime surveillance, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, coastal security, law enforcement, troop transport, logistics support and anti-piracy missions.

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Equipped with advanced avionics, a modern glass cockpit and night operation capability, the helicopter significantly enhances the Indian Coast Guard’s operational readiness across diverse and challenging maritime environments.

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