IIRC the Dhruv production is going to increase to 40 a year soon, If the order for 197 birds is placed than it can be met within 6-7 years where as the tender process would mean that the foreign vendors would start delivery after a period of 3 years....
wouldn't a twin engine be better than i a single engine? I am only asking because I am a newbie
While doing some research for open source information the LUH tender would cost around 570 million USD, same no of Dhruv would cost 1.5 billion USD plus the operational costs might probably be higher for the Dhruv but then again a domestic product will most of the time cost less in maintenance over time.
But despite that i think the Dhruv fits almost all of the requirements of the LUH after all it was developed as a light utility helicopter. which brings me to my second point, the Dhruv was successfully developed as a LUH supposedly for Indian requirements why is it not inducted for the exact role? also..
IA and IAF wants a single engine, < 3 ton class helo for casualty evac and recce missions
IN needs a twin engine, >10 ton helo for ASW, AEW & AsHW
This was known a long time a ago my question is if these were the requirements then why didn't HAL design a helo to such specifications?
IMHO IA an IAF can cough up the extra money to support Indian products, overall isn't our goal to domestically self sufficient?
Twin engine is good but the maintenance and operational costs are higher..
The RFI was based on Single turbine coz it was meant to replace Single helo, Only recently Dhruv accomplish it Siachen mission only after getting uprated Shakti Engines..
I cannot comment how Dhruv is better in recon in every places over Siachen area compare to cheetah, But in supplying logistics its better than other single turbine helo..
I dont know abt the price of the whole package, But its indeed expensive coz Dhruv is belong to different category of Twin turbine helos..
About LOH:
The Other Medium size Helo:
These are Projects under development, One should see HAL work load..
Air Force Station Bareilly, one of the premier air bases of the Indian Air Force witnessed the induction of the first batch of ALH MK-III in the IAF. Air Marshal PS Gill, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command, Allahabad presided the induction ceremony. The Mk-III version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) is a light multirole and multi-mission helicopter with a full glass cockpit.
The helicopter, manufactured by HAL, differs from the previous version of ALH, or ‘Dhruv’ in the terms of the more powerful ‘Shakti’ engines, full glass cockpit and the integrated Electronic Warfare (EW) suite. The various systems integrated into the helicopter make it a highly manoeuvrable and potent platform for military operations by day as well as by night. The induction of ALH Mk-III at Air Force Station Bareilly is being regarded an important milestone in the Indian aviation industry as well as towards modernisation plan of the Indian Air Force.
A fine display of ALH Helicopters by Wing Commander KS Kakade Commanding Officer of the 111 HU along with five other Pilots, marked the induction ceremony. Capabilities of the aircraft in carrying under-slung weight , casualty evacuation and formation flying were the main features of display by the pilots in the newly inducted ALH helicopter. A large gathering of air warriors and their families witnessing the induction ceremony applauded the display by the newly inducted helicopter, which is now A pride for the people of Bareilly.
The ALH Mk-III is being inducted in 111 Helicopter Unit(111 HU), which was operating with Chetak and Cheetah helicopters earlier. With the new induction, the unit would be better equipped to continue the task of humanitarian relief, casualty evacuation from the Himalayan ranges as well as search and rescue operations along with regular military operations. The unit has also been earmarked for the presentation of the ‘President’s Standard’ for its glorious service for the past 49 years.
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