The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard are poised to reintroduce the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to active service, ending a grounding period that lasted over a year.
Following a comprehensive technical review, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully rectified a critical flaw in the helicopter's transmission system.
Operations are expected to recommence in April, marking a significant recovery for India's indigenous aviation capabilities.
Ending the Longest Grounding in Service History
The fleet of twin-engine Dhruv helicopters operated by maritime security agencies has been grounded since January 2025.This decisive measure was taken following a fatal accident involving a Coast Guard unit, which triggered an immediate suspension of all flights.
For more than 12 months, hangars at naval air stations and coast guard bases have remained quiet as investigators worked to isolate the cause of the failure.
This suspension represents the longest continuous grounding of a specific aircraft type within the Indian defence forces.
The absence of the Dhruv ALH has left a tangible void in maritime operations, particularly affecting critical missions such as search and rescue (SAR), logistics support, and coastal patrolling.
Technical Resolution: The Swashplate Redesign
The investigation identified the root cause of the malfunction as a vulnerability within the swashplate assembly.This component is vital for flight safety, as it sits at the base of the main rotor mast and translates the pilot’s control inputs into the physical movement of the rotor blades.
According to findings, the original assembly was prone to material fatigue when subjected to the rigorous demands of marine environments, which include high humidity and salt-laden air.
To address this, HAL has engineered a robust redesign of the swashplate to withstand these specific stress factors, ensuring greater reliability and endurance for maritime deployments.
Timeline for Return to Flight
Speaking at the Wings India 2026 aviation exhibition, HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil confirmed the progress of the remediation efforts.He stated that the retrofit programme is currently underway and is projected to conclude by the end of March.
Once the fleet upgrades are finalized, the path will be clear for flight clearances to be issued in April.
This timeline provides a definitive end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the platform's safety profile over the past year.
Strengthening Indigenous Aviation
The return of the Dhruv ALH is a critical development for India's rotary-wing ecosystem.As a platform used across the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, the Dhruv serves as a cornerstone of domestic aerospace engineering.
While the grounding highlighted the difficulties inherent in designing aircraft for complex maritime conditions, the resolution demonstrates the resilience of India's defence manufacturing sector.
By prioritizing a precise engineering solution over a complete overhaul, HAL has utilized this setback to refine its production and upgrade processes.
For the pilots and technical crews awaiting the order to fly, the upcoming clearance signals not just a return to duty, but a restoration of confidence in the machinery they rely on to protect the nation's coasts.
