The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-owned company in India, is flying abroad. HAL will export the helicopter to the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius. HAL’s general manager BK Tripathi and Mauritius Home Secretary OK Dabedin signed a bilateral agreement this week.
A few years ago, HAL developed the versatile light helicopter (Light Utility Helicopter or LUH) to replace the five-decade-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopter for the Indian Army and Air Force. An improved version of the ALH Mark-3 will be sent to Mauritius. The ALH Mark-3 was recently sent to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh during a skirmish with Chinese troops.
These five-and-a-half-ton class helicopters are capable of flying in adverse weather. However, even if they are capable of using 80 mm rockets, they will not be able to carry air-to-air missiles suitable for air warfare. Incidentally, HAL’s light combat helicopter ‘Dhruv’ has been used by the Indian Armed Forces for the last two decades. Mauritius has previously used an LUH and Dornier DO-228 aircraft built by HAL.
