New Delhi: The Indian Army and Air Force variants of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) have recently been approved for operation after a detailed investigation into security concerns, Hindustan aeronautics limited (HAL) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Approval comes after recommendations made by a defect check (DI) Committee, with a time-bound plan to resume the operation already in coordination with services.
The announcement follows the weeks of Grounding of more than 330 ALH Dhruv after an accident at Porbandar on 5 January, which greatly influenced the operational readiness in the armed forces. The incident inspired an indigenous 5.5-ton helicopter investigation, designed and manufactured by HAL.
Earlier this month, on 11 April, HAL released a rapid word rebellion for criticizing military, retired officials, defense commentators and classes of analysts, accusing them of pushing “malicious” and “speculative” stories. Public sector aerospace Major said, “These stories are written without offering HAL perspective, and arguments are unilateral and biased.”
Defending the integrity of its platforms and its cooperation with the armed forces, HAL said, “HAL would like to repeat it, is working with all its customers including IAF and is convinced to handle important issues that are congenital for defense aeronautics and complex flying platforms.”
Baiklash came against HAL not only from the media circle but also from former military personnel. Among them were retired Navy Eviator and Test Pilot Commander KP Sanjeev Kumar, who called for more transparency in addressing flight safety concerns. He said, “The interests of your stakeholders are best served if you welcome criticism, work with more transparency, prevent messengers and halve the intentions of Malafida. Your worst critic is not your enemy; as is not your best friend,” he said.
HAL has also been under pressure on delay in production of indigenous Tejas Mark -1A fighter jets, and has intensified the investigation on the performance of PSUs in distributing important defense platforms on time.
