NAVAL ALH - First Naval ALH squadron to be in Kochi

Sridhar

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The Indian Navy is understood to be reconsidering its decision not to induct any more indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to a flight of eight shore-based platforms it operates at present on search and rescue (SAR) missions.

According to top sources in naval aviation, the force will raise its maiden ALH squadron, to be named INAS 322, in Kochi in early November.

The Navy had earlier turned its back on the 5.5 tonne ALH, dismayed as it was over the dimensions of the 'unfoldable' helicopter-blade which rendered the otherwise successful platform incompatible for ship-borne operations.

With the platform falling out of favour, all the ALH operated by the Navy were moved to Kochi sometime ago and their role largely limited to search and rescue. In the meantime, the platform was extensively used for trial of the dunking sonar Mihir, a 'technology demonstrator' indigenously developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), an institution under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The lab is currently developing an advanced version of low-frequency dunking sonar, which it is hopeful of inducting into the Navy in future.

"There's a shortage of helicopters in the Navy in all categories and acquisition processes are moving pretty slow. Which is one of the reasons why the force is contemplating buying more ALHs, which fall in the light-medium category," said a senior official.

Another senior officer, on condition of anonymity, said with the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya arriving at Karwar in late December/early January, some of the ALHs would be dispatched to Karwar to carry out night-flying operations from the carrier.

Meanwhile, the Navy is said to have taken a keen interest in the under-development weaponised version of ALH Dhruv, called Rudra, for conducting coastal surveillance and security operations.

Developed by HAL, the Rudra underwent extensive trials over the sea in Kochi late last year, where its sensors reportedly fared exceedingly well, tracking vessels from as far as 12 to 14 kms.

First Naval ALH squadron to be in Kochi - The Hindu
 

rugved

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Does the Ka-52 have a naval variant too? If so, then that would be a better choice over selecting other helicopters.
 

mahesh

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Does the Ka-52 have a naval variant too? If so, then that would be a better choice over selecting other helicopters.
Looks like HAL have given Bangalore vehicle registration Numbers for ALH helicopters
 

SajeevJino

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Does the Ka-52 have a naval variant too? If so, then that would be a better choice over selecting other helicopters.


Why not Inducting our Own Helicopters instead buying at more Cost
 

bhramos

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why the modification in front of the helicopter ?
its because this is a ASW version means Anti Submarine Warfare, This will be used to hunt down enemy Subs...

Currently Indian Navy uses Russian Ka-28 ASW helicopters...

 

Abhi9

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Sonar cannot be used above water. It is a radar most probably.
Its the DRDOs SV 2000 radar

Super Vision-2000, an airborne 3D naval surveillance radar, meant for helicopters and light transport aircraft. The SV-2000 is a lightweight, yet high performance, slotted array radar operating in the X Band. It can detect sea-surface targets such as a periscope or a vessel, against heavy clutter, and can also be used for navigation, weather mapping and beacon detection. The radar can detect a large vessel at over 100 nautical miles (370 km).It is currently under modification to be fitted to the Advanced Light Helicopter, and the Navy's Do-228's. Variants can be fitted to the Navy's Ka-25's as well.[9] The radar has been inducted by the Indian Navy and a more advanced variant of the Super Vision, known as the XV-2004 is now in production. The XV-2004 is also operational, and features an ISAR, SAR Capability.
 

Abhi9

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Re: Indian Naval Aviation

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: Finally, Navy too commissions Dhruv Sqn

The first ALH (Dhruv) Squadron was commissioned at Kochi today by Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command. Dhruv is the first indigenously designed and manufactured helicopter at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and with its multi role capabilities has proven her mettle in all the three services of the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard , BSF and in the inventory of foreign countries.
The squadron would have the name Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 322. Addressing the commissioning ceremony parade, Vice Admiral Sinha said that in the Navy, Dhruv helicopters has transformed into an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter also used for missions like heliborne operations, and armed patrol with night vision devices. Such machines in the inventory have become imperative for the Navy given the scenario of low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and coastal security construct said the Admiral.
Looking ahead, Vice Admiral Sinha said that with the commissioning of Vikramaditya, Navy's reach and ability to respond in real time to developing situations in our area of responsibility would see a quantum jump. Aerial assets like UAVs, Mig 29 K fighters, P 8 I and Dhruv have added punch to our quiver he added.
Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command under whose administrative control INAS 322 would function, in his address said that, the versatile aircraft would soon be cleared for night SAR role, one of the few helicopters in the world to have that capability over sea. He also expressed satisfaction that the ALH would beef up the coast security architecture.
Earlier, Smt Mona Sinha named the squadron as INAS 322 and unveiled the commissioning plaque. Commander Ravi Sivasankar, the first Commanding Officer of the Squadron recited the invocation and read out the commissioning warrant. The squadron will call themselves "Guardians" with the credo "Search Fearlessly, Rescue Valiantly" signifying their primary role of SAR. The commissioning ceremony was held at INS Garuda, the Naval Air Station and mother base of INAS 322.
 
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cobra commando

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Re: Indian Naval Aviation

Indian Navy 1st HAL Dhruv Squadron: INAS 322 'Guardians'


The Guardians in action right next to their birds.


Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha inspecting the commissioning parade.


Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, being introduced to the officers of the Squadron.


Mrs Mona Sinha after unveiling the commissioning plaque. From left to right, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Mrs Mona Sinha , Mrs Payal Soni and Commander Ravi Sivasankar.
 
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AVERAGE INDIAN

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Re: HAL Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv

Indian Navy 1st HAL Dhruv Squadron: INAS 322 'Guardians'



Kochi: Indian Navy today commissioned the first ALH Dhruv Helicopter Squadron at Southern Command, Kochi. The squadron is named Indian Naval Air Squadron INAS 322 Guardians. Intensive Flying and Trials Unit for Advanced Light Helicopters, IFTU (ALH), had been set up at INS Garuda, Kochi on 20 Feb 03 with the first landing of Advanced Light Helicopter. The unit's task was to ensure smooth induction of the new aircraft and lay down guidelines for training and operational exploitation of the ALH. On completion of IFTU, two ALH Flights were formed which were later merged to form a single Flight.

Indian Navy commissions 1st ALH Dhruv helicopter squadron at Southern Command
 

rohit b3

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How many Naval Dhruvs are ordered and how many have entered service?
 

Dinesh_Kumar

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Just like IN and IAF Chetaks are similar, me thinks this is normal vanilla variant of Dhruv for shore based roles, dont think it is specialised Naval Variant......Naval ALH had following
> Wheels
> Rotor Folding System (manual)
> Different Nose (probably for Weather Radar)
> Mihir Dunking Sonar.
> Lightweight Torpedo mockup was carried

Chetak has none of these (apart from wheels) so.......
 

arnabmit

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Naval ALH has many variants. These are the SAR variants. What you are talking about is the ASW variant.

Just like IN and IAF Chetaks are similar, me thinks this is normal vanilla variant of Dhruv for shore based roles, dont think it is specialised Naval Variant......Naval ALH had following
> Wheels
> Rotor Folding System (manual)
> Different Nose (probably for Weather Radar)
> Mihir Dunking Sonar.
> Lightweight Torpedo mockup was carried

Chetak has none of these (apart from wheels) so.......
 

jmj_overlord

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Just like IN and IAF Chetaks are similar, me thinks this is normal vanilla variant of Dhruv for shore based roles, dont think it is specialised Naval Variant......Naval ALH had following
> Wheels
> Rotor Folding System (manual)
> Different Nose (probably for Weather Radar)
> Mihir Dunking Sonar.
> Lightweight Torpedo mockup was carried

Chetak has none of these (apart from wheels) so.......
so chetaks cannot be used for asw roles but only for recon roles ?
 

Dinesh_Kumar

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Effective Sonar weighs more than 1000kg, which cant be carried...........i have seen pic on BR Forum of Chetak with underslung contraption but its crude device, not effective like SH-3 and Ka-27 / 31
so chetaks cannot be used for asw roles but only for recon roles ?
 

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