Another Army helicopter experienced a technical fault during an operational mission and crashed during a precautionary landing in a forest area in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. One death was report and another two were injured as ALH Dhruv came down on the banks of the Marua River in the Marwah area, which is cut off from the district headquarters due to heavy snow. A court of inquiry has been ordered and further details are being ascertained.
These Dhruv helicopters are useful for people in Jammu and Kashmir as they provide essential services such as transport and medical evacuation in the region. Helicopters are the only mode of transportation in many areas of Jammu and Kashmir during the winter months when heavy snowfall makes roads inaccessible. Additionally, helicopters are used to provide supplies, including rations, to remote areas that are difficult to access by other means. In emergencies, Dhruv helicopters are also used to transport injured or sick individuals to hospitals in larger cities where they can receive proper medical attention. Overall, Dhruv helicopters play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of people living in remote and hard-to-reach areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ALH Dhruv helicopter, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited since 2002, has been involved in several accidents. According to a report submitted to the Parliament in March 2016 by the Minister of State for Defence, out of 16 accidents, 12 were attributed to human error and environmental factors, while the remaining four were due to technical issues. Recent incidents include the crash of an Indian Army Dhruv helicopter near Ranjit Sagar Dam in August 2021 and another in January 2021 in Kathua district’s Lakhanpur, resulting in the death of one pilot. In March 2023, an Indian Navy MK III variant made an emergency water landing off the coast of Mumbai, leading to the grounding of the aircraft while the incident was being investigated. In another incident in March 2023, an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopter crashed during takeoff from Kochi Airport, with three onboard servicemen surviving with minor injuries.
Following the unexplained loss of power of an Indian Navy ALH helicopter that ditched into the Arabian Sea in 2023, the entire indigenous ALH fleet was grounded for a comprehensive safety check. Ditching is a hazardous manoeuvre that involves an aircraft making an emergency landing in water after losing control. The ALH fleets of the military and coast guard, which together operate more than 300 ALH variants, were grounded for the second time in less than five months. The previous grounding took place in October 2022 after an army Rudra helicopter, an armed version of ALH Dhruv, crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in the loss of all five personnel on board. The comprehensive safety check is aimed at ensuring the safety of ALH operations and preventing any future accidents.
The reasons behind the accidents involving the Dhruv helicopter of the Indian Army are varied and complex. Some of the accidents have been attributed to technical issues with the helicopter’s systems or components. In some cases, pilot error or poor crew coordination have been identified as factors. The quality of maintenance and repair work performed on the helicopters has also been questioned in some cases. The rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions in many parts of India, particularly in the mountainous regions, can pose challenges for helicopter operations.
Overall, the ALH Dhruv has proved to be a valuable asset for the Indian Army. However, as with any equipment, its effectiveness depends on several factors, including the quality of maintenance and training provided to its crew. The Indian Army needs to address these operational issues. Army personnel are our invaluable assets, and losing so many of them in freak accidents is cause for serious concern. It’s time to take corrective action.
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