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Dhruv all set to be inducted in Siachen sector
The indigenously developed Dhruv helicopter is set to be inducted by the army in the Siachen sector after successfully completing trials at the icy heights.
The indigenously developed Dhruv helicopter is set to be inducted by the army in the Siachen sector after successfully completing trials at the icy heights.
The test trials were conducted in February, defence sources told PTI.
After its formal induction, the first advanced light helicopter would join the MI-17V, Chetak, Cheeta and Chetan helicopters, which fly daily in Siachen skies for over 35 hours in a month for logistic, communication, casualty evacuation and supply support.
Dhruv qualified for high-altitude glacier flying with flying colours on February 15, the sources said, adding the helicopter would prove as an air taxi with support system for all weathers to the Indian soldiers.
The helicopter has cleared its validation processes, including test for high altitude and low temperature flying, which makes it ready to hover above the Siachen, they said.
"Dhruv passed this test trials last month and it is now fit for flying in the Siachen sector in all conditions and conduct all types of operations," a defence source said.
Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore and inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1998, Dhruv as "a multi-role chopper proved best on all the fronts in terms of operations relating to search and rescue, emergency airlift, air ambulance, evacuation, payload deliveries in high altitude posts and carriage of men and material", the source said.
