Full clearance for Dhruv helicopter fleet pending amid ongoing review
A source told India Today that not all helicopters have received flying clearance as HAL continues its review and is approving aircraft in a phased manner. The Army resumed operations of its cleared helicopters in response to heightened security requirements following the deadly attack in Pahalgam.The entire fleet was grounded after a Dhruv helicopter of the Coast Guard crashed in Porbandar, marking the latest in a series of incidents that have plagued the platform in recent years.At Aero India in February, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil shared details from the initial crash investigation, revealing that a crack in the swash plate-a critical component controlling the rotor blades-had been identified.The defect investigation team is still probing the cause of the crack, and HAL awaits the final report to determine whether further inspections or changes are needed across the fleet.While ruling out a design flaw in the helicopter itself, Dr Sunil pointed to possible gaps in training and maintenance. He said that over the past 25 years, 28 Dhruv helicopters have crashed.Of these, 13 were due to technical issues, 13 to human error, and two remain unexplained. Despite the accidents, the Dhruv fleet has collectively logged significant flying hours, underlining its central role in military aviation.The extended grounding of the fleet was a serious setback for the armed forces and Coast Guard. Similar suspensions occurred in 2023 after a series of crashes across multiple service branches.In October 2024, an Indian Air Force Dhruv crashed into water during relief efforts in Bihar due to engine failure. In September that year, a Coast Guard helicopter went down in the Arabian Sea.Other incidents have taken place near Mumbai, Kochi, Jammu, and Pathankot. One of the most tragic crashes occurred in Arunachal Pradesh in October 2022, where a Rudra variant crash claimed the lives of two officers and three soldiers.With the investigation still underway, the Dhruv fleet remains only partially operational. The outcome of the final report will be key to determining whether systemic changes in maintenance protocols or pilot training are required to restore full confidence in the platform and prevent future accidents.- EndsMust Watch
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