About ALH Dhruv helicopters:
- Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv is a multi-role and multi-mission light utility helicopter in the 5.5-ton weight class, intended for both military and civil operators.
- It is developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The ALH choppers are operated by all three Indian defense forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with the Indian Coast Guard.
- The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
- Exported countries: Bolivia, Myanmar, Israel, Maldives, and Nepal.
- The Mk-IV version of the HAL ALG Dhruv helicopter is the Armed variant for Attack, Close Air Support, and High altitude operations.
- Features of Dhruv Mk-IV:
- It is also called ALH Rudra and can carry a 20 mm Turret Gun, 70 mm Rocket, and Air to Air missiles.
- It has a twin-engine configuration allowing continued flight virtually throughout the flight envelope.
- It has a maximum take-off weight of 5800 kg and a range of 590 km.
- ALH Mk-IV has a rigid rotor design making it aggressively maneuverable in air.
- It has a dedicated Electronic Warfare suite for self-protection.
- Its countermeasures suite can include: radar and missile detectors, infrared jammer, chaff and flare dispensers.
