Current Affairs Topics Quiz Archive
International Relations Economics Polity & Governance Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Internal Security Geography Social Issues Art & Culture Modern History

HAL hands over ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters to Indian Coast Guard

April 10, 2026 5 min read Internal Security Science & Technology GS Paper 3 (Internal Security Science & Technology)
On This Page ▼

What Happened

  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over four Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III in Maritime Role (MR) configuration to the Indian Coast Guard at a ceremony in Bengaluru on April 10, 2026.
  • The delivery meets the contractual timeline under the deal for nine ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters signed in 2024.
  • In March 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a fresh contract worth ₹2,901 crore with HAL for six additional ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters, and a separate ₹5,083 crore package also included VL-Shtil surface-to-air missiles.
  • The ALH Mk III (MR) is equipped for maritime surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), casualty evacuation, coastal security, anti-piracy, and law enforcement.
  • The helicopters feature an Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, surveillance radar, glass cockpit, night-operation capability, and a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) for rescue missions.
  • They can operate from both shore-based airfields and ship flight decks (ship-borne operations).

Static Topic Bridges

HAL Dhruv — India's Indigenous Helicopter Programme

The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv is India's flagship indigenous rotary-wing aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. The programme was initiated in 1979 and the design consultancy contract was signed with Germany's Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) in 1984. The first prototype made its maiden flight on August 20, 1992.

  • Class: 5.5-tonne multirole, multi-mission helicopter
  • Maximum speed: 290 km/h; Maximum weight: 5,500 kg
  • Variants: ALH Mk I (basic utility), ALH Mk II (improved), ALH Mk III (advanced avionics, glass cockpit), ALH Mk IV / Rudra (weaponised attack variant)
  • As of early 2024, more than 400 Dhruvs produced, accumulating over 340,000 flight hours
  • Export customers include Ecuador, Nepal, Mauritius, Maldives, and Suriname
  • Composite airframe (carbon fibre and Kevlar cockpit), crashworthy seats, Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)

Connection to this news: The ALH Mk III (MR) is a specialised maritime variant of the Dhruv, adapted for Coast Guard operations with surveillance radar, EW suite, and ship-deck landing capability — representing the maturation of India's indigenous helicopter programme into operationally complex mission roles.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was established under the Coast Guard Act, 1978, as a maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue agency. It operates under the Ministry of Defence (unlike many countries where coast guards are under Interior/Home ministries).

  • Mandate: Maritime law enforcement within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ — 200 nautical miles), search and rescue, pollution control, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, disaster response.
  • India's EEZ: approximately 2.37 million sq km — one of the largest in the world.
  • ICG operates under the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1976 and the Coast Guard Act, 1978.
  • Operates approximately 160 surface platforms (ships and boats) and 70+ aircraft.
  • Jurisdiction: India's territorial waters (12 nm), Contiguous Zone (24 nm), and EEZ (200 nm).
  • The ICG also enforces MARPOL (Marine Pollution) provisions and coordinates with the Indian Navy during national emergencies.

Connection to this news: The ALH Mk III (MR) significantly enhances ICG's aerial surveillance and SAR capability across its vast EEZ — particularly in the island territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep where shore-based responses are logistically constrained.

Defence Indigenisation — Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence

India's defence indigenisation policy, accelerated under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative (2020), aims to reduce import dependence and develop a robust domestic defence industrial base. The Ministry of Defence has issued three Positive Indigenisation Lists (PIL) — goods that can only be procured from domestic sources.

  • India spends approximately ₹6 lakh crore annually on defence; historically 60-70% of equipment was imported.
  • The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 introduced priority categories: Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) gets highest priority.
  • HAL is India's largest defence PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) — also produces Tejas (LCA), Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT-40), and Su-30MKI under licence.
  • Defence exports target: ₹50,000 crore by 2028-29 (India crossed ₹21,000 crore in FY24).
  • ALH Dhruv is listed in the Positive Indigenisation List — the Coast Guard and armed forces must procure rotary-wing aircraft in this category from HAL.

Connection to this news: The ALH Mk III (MR) delivery is a direct output of the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence push — an indigenous helicopter meeting the operational requirements of a key security agency, replacing the need for expensive imported maritime helicopters.

India's Maritime Security Architecture

India's maritime security framework integrates the Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, and customs into a layered coastal surveillance system, especially since the 2008 Mumbai attacks (26/11) which exposed gaps in coastal security.

  • Post-26/11 reforms: National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS) established under Cabinet Secretary.
  • Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN): chain of radar stations, Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers, and camera networks along India's 7,516 km coastline.
  • IMAC (Information Management and Analysis Centre) at Gurugram: central hub for maritime domain awareness, integrating data from Navy, Coast Guard, and civilian shipping.
  • The 2022 National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) post was created to unify maritime security governance.

Connection to this news: ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters strengthen the aerial dimension of India's layered maritime security architecture — providing rapid response and surveillance capability that complements the CSN's surface/radar layer.

Key Facts & Data

  • ALH Dhruv first flight: August 20, 1992 (Bengaluru)
  • Coast Guard Act: 1978
  • India's EEZ: approximately 2.37 million sq km
  • India's coastline: 7,516 km
  • March 2026 ALH Mk III (MR) contract: ₹2,901 crore for 6 helicopters (HAL)
  • April 2026 delivery: 4 ALH Mk III (MR) helicopters to ICG
  • HAL total Dhruv production (as of early 2024): 400+ units, 340,000+ flying hours
  • 26/11 Mumbai attacks: November 2008 — trigger for coastal security reforms