HAL SITARA HJT 36 ( Intermediate Jet Trainer )

The HJT-36 Sitara [Star] Intermediate Jet Trainer project is expected to replace the IAF's aging Kiran aircraft. HAL's main focus is presently on the single engine HJT-36, which was intended to replace the 200-odd HJT-16s as the intermediate jet trainer.

The HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), is being developed for training of pilots. IJT will replace the ageing Kiran trainers. HJT-36 is an indigenous product developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore. It is a sub-sonic aircraft with a fuel-efficient engine, advanced avionics systems and increased weapon load. This will help to improve the pilots' training effectiveness and lead to easier transition to the advanced training for modern fighter aircraft.

HAL had pegged the overall project cost at Rs.200 crores and expected the prototype to roll out 39 months after it gets the go-ahead. The plane was to enter service two years thereafter. HAL engineers said that the project cost had been capped at Rs.18 crores.

The prototype aircraft are powered by a Snecma Larzac 04-H-20 turbofan non-afterburning engine developing 14.12kN. The aircraft is fitted with a 9kW starter generator and two nickel cadmium 43Ah batteries. The aircraft provides high-speed training for pilots entering level II training. The maximum operating speed is Mach 0.8 and the g-limits are from +7g to –2.5g. The service ceiling for the trainer is 12,000m (39,370ft). HAL HJT-36 SITARA

HAL KIRAN (Intermediate Jet Trainer)

IJT KIRAN

KIRAN AIR SHOW

HAL has undertaken development of IJT to replace the ageing Kiran trainer aircraft in service with Defence Services. This aircraft will be used for Stage II training of pilots. IJT has cockpit with twin tandem seats with good visibility for the pilots, modern Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays and Head-Up Display (HUD). The aircraft is equipped with a Mission Computer and Integrated Avionics system. 1000 kg of external stores carrying capacity allows fitment of various armaments and fuel drop tanks on the aircraft for effective training. The aircraft is designed for a max. speed of 750 km/h, max. range of 1500 km, max. endurance of 2 hrs with internal fuel.

                  

• Length                              :  11.0 m
• Span                                :  10.0 m
• Height                              :  4.4 m
• Max Take of Weight         :  4.5 t
• Payload                            : 1.0 t
•  Speed                              : 0.75M
•  Service Ceiling                 : 9 km

IAF JAGUAR

SEPECAT JAGUAR

The SEPECAT Jaguar is a twin-engined single-seat fighter bomber jet aircraft for the close air support role produced by the British/French manufacturer SEPECAT, a joint-venture of BAC, British Aircraft Corporation. The Royal Air Force (RAF) was feeling the aftereffects of Britain's Secretary for Defence Duncan Sandys' "The Way Forward", a 1957 paper that aimed to provide the UK with affordable defence. Sandys view was that conventional warfare was outdated and that future wars would be fought with nuclear weapons. But RAF continued to search vigorously for a trainer and also a low-level strike fighter-bomber for interdiction and reconnaissance. By the late 1950s, these became critical requirements. France also came to realise the need of similar aircraft.

VICTORY FORMATION OF JAGUAR

RAF's plans for a twin-engine trainer aircraft proved to be rather costly. Instead of it, concurrent perception by Britain and France of the need for an aircraft to meet almost identical requirements led to a natural collaboration for developing the new fighter-bomber. The aircraft was named the Jaguar. The first Jaguar prototype made its maiden flight at Istres (France) on September 8, 1968. British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) and Breguet Aviation formed an Anglo-French company for design, development, production and marketing of the Jaguar. The company was given the unwieldy name SEPECAT (Société européenne de production de l'avion d'école de combat and d'appui tactique). Dassault acquired Breguet Aviation in 1967 and became party to the project. While the collaborative effort began well, it diverged into different directions with components and equipment being used which were not common to both countries.

• Crew                                     1
• Propulsion                            2 Turbofan Engines
• Engine Model                      Rolls-Royce / Turbomeca Adour Mk 104
• Engine Power (each)           35,8 kN 8048 lbf
•  
• Speed                                   1700 km/ 918 kts ,1056 mph
• Service Ceiling                    12.192   40.000 ft
• Range                                  1.408 km,760 NM,875 mi.
•  
• Empty Weight                      6.985 kg                15.399 lbs
• Max Takeoff Weight            15.700 kg            34.613 lbs
•  Wing Span                           8,69 m   28,5 ft
• Wing Area                            24,0 m² 258 ft²
• Length                                  15,52 m 50,9 ft
• Height                                   4,89 m    16,0 ft
•  
• First Flight                             23.03.1969
• Production Status                  out of production
• Total Production                    588
•  
• Data for (Version)                SEPECAT Jaguar GR Mk.1
• Variants                               Jaguar A, Jaguar B (Jaguar T2/T2A & T4), Jaguar E, Jaguar S (Jaguar GR1/GR1A &                                                                                              GR1B & GR3 & GR3B), Jaguar International ( ES, EB, SO, BO, IS, IB, IM, SN, BN)

INS GHARIAL

INS GHARIAL

INS GHARIAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Class & type                                       Magar class landing ship
• Displacement                                       5665 tons (full load)[1]
• Length                                                 120 m
• Beam                                                  17.5 m
• Draft                                                   4 m
• Ramps                                                Bow doors
• Propulsion                                           2 x 8560 hp sustained diesel engine
• Speed                                                 15 knots
• Range                                                 3000 miles @ 14 knots
• Landing craft carried                            4 LCVPs
• Capacity                                              15 Tanks, 8 APCs[2]
• Troops                                                 500
• Complement                                        136 (incl. 16 officers)
• Radar systems                                     1 BEL 1245 navigation radar
• Electronic warfare                                BEL Ajanta as intercept
• Armament                                           4 x Bofors 40mm/60 guns,2 x 122mm multiple-barrel rocket  Lncr 
• Aircraft carried                                    1 Sea King, 2 helicopter platforms.

INS MAGAR

INS MAGAR

The Indian Navy Magar-class landing ship tank (LST) are an indigenous design derived from the Royal Navy's Sir Lancelot class. Five ships of this class have been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987, 1997, 2007, 2008 and 2009. 

The last three ships are also referred to as Landing Ship Tank (Large)/LST (L) or Shardul class and feature several modifications and a high number of components and weapons made in India. Shardul-class can serve as fleet tanker, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions or hospital ship.

INS MAGAR

These ships carry four small landing crafts and are equipped with four 40mm anti-aircraft guns or two CRN91 anti-aircraft guns, two WM18A 18-tube rocket launchers, Igla surface-to-air missiles and up to two helicopters (Sea King or Dhruv) at the aft flight deck and hangar. During amphibious assault missions a single ship can transport 500 troops, 10 main battle tanks and 11 trucks. The propulsion system is based on two diesel engines developing 8,000-shp with the ship achieving a maximum speed of 15 knots. The main purpose of Magar-class ships is to deliver men and material on shore in support of amphibious assaults.

• Type                                     Amphibious warfare vessel
• Displacement                           5,665 tons (full load)[1]
• Length                                     120 m
• Beam                                       17.5 m
• Draft                                        4 m
• Ramps                                       Bow doors
• Propulsion                                  2 x 8560 hp sustained diesel engine
• Speed                                        15 knots
• Range                                        3000 miles @ 14 knots
• Landingcraft carried                4 LCVPs
• Capacity                                 15 Tanks, 8 APCs, 500 Troops, 136 crew,16 Officers
• Radar system                          1 BEL 1245 navigation radar
• Electronic warfare                BEL Ajanta as intercept
• Armament                                    4 x Bofors 40mm/60 guns, 2 x 122mm multiple-barrel rocket launchers
• Aircraft carried                         1 Sea King
• Aviation facilities                   2 helicopter platforms

INS AIRAVAT

INS AIRAVAT

INS AIRAVAT  is one of the two Magar-class Landing Ship Tankers (LSTs), designed and built by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited in partnership with the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. Both the ships are stationed at the naval base in Vishakhapatnam.

INS Airavat has the capacity to carry 500 soldiers and can provide stern refuelling for other naval vessels apart from conducting amphibious assault operations.The ship can also operate two medium-lift helicopters, which are primarily meant for ‘inserting’ a small team of Special Forces (marine commandos) and it is equipped with a fully-functioning hospital on-board and has made significant contributions in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) during natural disasters like tsunamis and cyclones.Safety features aboard the Airavat include anti-roll Flume Stabilisation System, smoke curtains to impede spreading of smoke and toxic gases in case of fire, as well as battle damage control systems. Fully loaded, she can operate independently at high seas for up to 45 days.

It is primarily designed for amphibious assault operations, Airavat's missions also include Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) during natural disasters, including tsunamis, cyclones, earthquakes,etc. She has a full-functioning hospital on-board, the capacity to carry 500 soldiers, and can provide stern refueling for other naval vessels.Primary suppliers for her equipment are Bharat Electronics Limited, Kirloskar, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Keltron and the Godrej Group.

Class                             :          Shardul class landing ship

Displacement                 :            5650 tons

Length                           :           125 m

Beam                             :           17.5 m

Draft                              :           4 m

Propulsion                     :            Kirloskar PA6 STC engines

Speed                           :           16 knots

Capacity                       :            11 MBT, 10 infantry trucks or APC,500 troops.

Complement                  :  11 officers, 145 sailors

Electronic warfare          :   Chaff launchers

Armament                      :  2 x WM-18 rocket launchers

4 x CRN-91 AA (Naval 30mm Medak) guns, MANPAD's

shoulder-launched IGLA SAMs

Aircraft carried             :   1 Westland Sea King or HAL Dhruv.

INS KESARI

INS KESARI

INS KESARI

The Indian Navy has recently inducted its amphibious vessel Landing Ship Tank (LST) INS Kesari in the Andaman and Nicobar command and will soon be inducting Operation Patrol Vessels (OPVs) constructed at Goa Shipyard Ltd.

INS Kesari adds thrust to Navy's ongoing drive for indigenous warship production. The ship, measuring 125 meters in length, 17.5 metres in breadth and displacing 5655 tons, can achieve speed in excess of 15 Knots. Second of the Shardul class of ships, INS Kesari is the most contemporary and fully indigenised LST (L) in the Indian Navy. In addition to its primary role of amphibious operations carrying battle tanks, troops and vehicles to hostile coasts, the ship also forms a potent assault platform with rockets and chaff launchers, anti-aircraft guns, shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles and an integral Sea King or an advanced light helicopter. On the other end of the spectrum, the ship can also be tasked as a fleet tanker, a hospital ship, or for disaster relief operations.

OVERALL GLANCE OF INS KESARI :-

Class  of ship        :      Kumbhir class

Displacement      :       1120 tons (standard)

Length                  :      83.9 m [1]

Beam                    :      9.7 m

Draught                :      1.3 metres (extreme bow and 2.58 metres (stern)

Depth                   :      5.2 m

Propulsion           :       2 x 2200 hp Soviet Kolomna 40-D two stroke diesel engines.

Speed                   :      18 knots

Crew                    :       120 (incl. 12 officers)

Radar system     :        SRN 7453 radar

Armament          :        2 x AK-230 30mm guns 4 x CRN-91 AA (Naval 30mm Medak) guns.                

Aircraft carried :         1 HAL Chetak

RUSTOM 1 ( UAV )

The indigenously designed and developed RUSTOM-1 made it  flying at about 11,500 ft AGL and speed of above 140-km/h during 2 hrs 10 minutes of cruise.

The highlights of the flight include:-

 a) Use of lean mixture control system in the engine for flights at high altitudes.

 b) Take-off weight heaviest so far.

 c) Achieved max altitude of 3.5 kms, about 11500 ft and

 d) Extended range of about 50 kms tried out for the first time. The waypoint track was perfect and so were takeoff and landing.

The Rustom-1 is built for a maximum altitude of 22,000 ft and endurance of 12-15 Hours with an operating range of 250 Kms when fully developed.

Indian Army has shown keen interest  in  this  programme. This UAV has the potential military missions like Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Target Designation, Communications Relay, Battle Damage Assessment and Signal Intelligence, the release said.

This UAV can attain a maximum speed of 150 Knots, 22,000 ft of altitude and endurance of 12-15 hours with an operating range of 250 kms when fully developed. 

Rustom-1's basic design is derived from the NAL light canard research aircraft (LCRA). The aircraft has been named after Rustom Damania, a former professor of IISc, Bangalore who died in 2001. DRDO decided to name the UAV after him because it is derived from National Aerospace Laboratories' light canard research aircraft (LCRA) developed under Rustom Damania’s leadership in the 1980s

.

Rustom 1 is a medium altitude long endurance unmanned air vehicle (MALE UAV) program. This is a multi mission long endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with day/night capability used for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, target tracking & localization, and artillery fire correction, SAR images taking facility with take off & landing on runway with external pilot (EP). This UAV will take off from conventional runway with the help of EP.  With the Rustom MALE UAV project, DRDO intends to move away from traditional ways of developing products whereby laboratories under DRDO, like the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), which is involved in this project, develop and finalise the product and transfer technology to a production agency.

DRDO will follow a practice of concurrent engineering where initial design efforts also take into consideration production issues, with the production agency participating in the development of the system right from the design stage. The agency will also follow up issues related to infrastructure and expertise for the product and its support, thereby overcoming time delays in crucial projects.

Rustom-1 which bears an uncanny resemblance to Rutan Long-EZ designed by Burt Rutan has a wingspan of 7.9 metres and weighs 720 kg, will be launched by the conventional method and not the launcher as in the case of the DRDO Lakshya. Rustom will be able to see the enemy territory up to a distance of 250 km and carry a variety of cameras and radar for surveillance.

Rustom-H, built on a different design, owes nothing to Burt Rutan's Long-EZ design. It is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MALE UAV), a twin engine system designed to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Rustom H will have a payload capacity of 350 kg.

The range of advanced technologies and systems include the following:

Ø  Aerodynamic configurations, High aspect ratio wing, Composite airframe integrated with propulsion system, De-icing system for wings

Ø  Highly reliable systems with built-in redundancy for flight critical systems like flight control and navigation, data links, power management, - and mission critical payload management system

Ø  Digital Flight Control and Navigation System, Automatic Take off and Landing (ATOL)

Ø  Digital communication technologies for realizing data links to control and operate the mission and relay UAVs

Ø  Payloads with high resolution and precision stabilized platforms. 

ARJUN MK-1 (MAIN BATTLE TANK)

ARUN MBT

The Arjun is an indigenous project, but not wholly so. Imported items such as the engine/ power pack, gunner’s main sight, and other components account for 58% of each tank’s cost. This is not uncommon around the world. Israel’s Merkava tank family also relies on a foreign-built engine, for instance, as does France’s Leclerc.

It is uncommon among Indian policy-makers, but the reality is that a series of project failures gave them little choice. The Arjun has been plagued with a mix of problems over its 36-year development history, including its fire control system, suspension issues, and poor mobility due to excessive weight. It has also grown from a 40-tonne tank with a 105mm gun, to a 62-67 tonne tank with a 120mm gun. Predictably, project costs spiraled up from Rs 15.5 crore in 1974 to Rs 306 crore (INR 3.06 trillion). The army was not pleased. In an unusual stance, they accepted the tank only after a third-party audit by an international tank manufacturer, and orders were strictly limited.

The Indian army didn’t even stand up its 1st Arjun armored regiment until May 2009, 35 years after the program began. To underscore the point, even that milestone followed a development that seemed to end the platform’s future. In July 2008, India had announced that production of the Arjun would be capped at the already-committed total of 124 vehicles. Instead, development would begin on a new next-generation tank, designed to survive and serve until 2040 or so.

That appeared to close the book on a failed project, but opinion in India was sharply split. Many observers cited this as the final failure. Other were noting the problems with the T-90s, and the Army’s refusal to conduct side-by-side tests, alongside recent test successes that began earning the Arun some military fans. In May 2010 desert trials alongside the T-90S, the Arjun did surprisingly well.In response, the government and the Army changed course somewhat. Arjun production would double to 248. That’s an improvement, but DRDO insists that a 500 vehicle order is needed to give them the volume needed to iron out all production difficulties, and provide a platform for future development.

The Army’s plan still calls for 1,657 T-90S “Bhishma” tanks external link at about 12 crore (INR 120 million, about $2.78 million) each if prices remain stable. About 1,000 of those are slated to be built in India by Avadi Heavy Industries, the same firm that builds the Arjuns. They will be joined by just 248 Arjuns at about 16.8 crore (INR 168 million, about $3.92 million) each, as well as 692 older T-72 tanks upgraded to the T-72M1 “Ajeya” standard external link. This overall plan changes the force structure proposed in 2006, from 3,780 tanks (1,302 T-90s and 2,480 T-72s) to 2,597 higher-end tanks. 

MOBILITY :-

The vehicle uses the world famous German MTU diesel engine (turbo-charged), which gives 1400hp, a top road speed of 72km/h and an operational range of 450km’s.The vehicle has proven to have a low ground-pressure, which has been idea for desert warfare mobility. The vehicle uses a hydrogas suspension, which gives a smoother crossing over rough terrain, allowing it to travel faster over rough terrain, a more stable platform for firing on the move and greater comfort to the 4 man crew.

FIREPOWER :-

The vehicle is equipped with 120mm rifled calibre Length 55 main gun capable of firing HESH (High Explosive Squash Head) and APFSDS (Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) rounds at the rate of 6-8 rounds per minute. 39 rounds are carried in protected storage. Unlike most rifled main guns the Arjun can fire a modified HEAT round. Though details are not given, HEAT rounds generally are less effective as the imparted spin from the rifling effects the shaped charges inverted  copper jet.

The main gun has a coaxial 7.62mm Machine Gun and a roof mounted 12.7mm MG. The main gun is fully stabilised so can fire on the move. The Fire Control System is fully computerised with a laser designator and thermal sight for the gunner and the commander has a independent sight (day channel only) giving the vehicle a hunter killer capability, making it a third-generation tank.

PROTECTION :-

The vehicle is fitted with a composite armour called Kanchan. Tests of the armour showed it to withstand APFSDS rounds fired at it from a Russian T-72. The vehicle is equipped with full NBC protection and a HALON fire detection & suppression system within the crew compartment

SPECIFICATIONS :-

Weight 64.5 tonnes

Length 10.6m

Width 3.864m

Height 2.32m

Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader and driver) 

INS SHIVALIK ( STEALTH WARSHIP )

INS SHIVALIK

INS  SHIVALIK :-

Shivalik Class frigates are multirole stealth craft built for Indian Navy. They are the first Indian warships to be built with stealth features and will be the lead frigates of the country's navy during the first quarter of the 21st century.The lead ship of this class  is named 'Shivalik', after the lowest of the Himalayan ranges, which extends to 2,500km. The frigates to follow were also named after other mountain ranges – 'Satpura' and 'Sahyadri'. They are being produced as an upgrade to the Talwar Class frigates, which will be succeeded by the Project 17-A Class frigates.

Shivalik Class frigates are 143m long and 16.9m wide. They have a displacement of 4,900t and run on gas and diesel turbines. These frigates include unique stealth features and land-attacking capabilities. Shivalik Class frigates can carry a crew of 257, including 37 officers.The structural, thermal, and acoustic stealth features make them less detectable to the enemy. The radar systems and engines are further modified to reduce and avoid detection and noise levels. Fitted with Klub anti-ship and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles providing strong attacking capabilities. The fire control systems used on these frigates are developed by DRDO and built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

The vessels were built in 172 modules through modular construction. Construction of the first frigate began in December 2000. In July 2001, the keel of this frigate was laid, and it was launched and named Shivalik in April 2003. In February 2009, the frigate underwent sea trials before being commissioned into the Indian Navy in April 2010.The keel of the second frigate, Satpura, was laid in October 2002 and launched in June 2004. It was commissioned in August 2011. The keel of the third frigate in the class, Sahyadri, was laid in 2003 and launched in May 2005. It was commissioned in July 2012.All three frigates received the initials 'INS' (Indian Naval Ship) when commissioned with the Indian Navy.

The proposed P-17A acquisition has had different figures floated. Early figures mentioned Rs 30,000 crore (300 billion Indian rupees, then about $6.7 billion), with expected costs of Rs 4,000 crore (then about $892 million) per ship. March 2009 reports give figures of Rs 17,000 crore, or about $3.3 billion at that time. By June 2009, however, reports of DAC approval mentioned Rs 45,000 crore, or about $9.23 billion total and $1.3 billion per ship. As a basis of comparison, India’s July 2006 order for 3 more Talwar Class frigates amounted to Rs 5,114 crore, or between $400-550 million per ship.

The 2nd area of uncertainty involves ship design. By soliciting tenders from so many foreign firms, and insisting on improved stealth requirements, India is implicitly creating the option of having Project 17-A ships use a very different base design than the Project 17 Shivalik class frigates. That question will not be resolved until a foreign shipbuilding partner is chosen and ratified, and possibly not even then.

The 3rd area of uncertainty revolves around the program’s industrial arrangements, though current reports indicate that a resolution is close. Typical Indian contracts involve some number of ships built by the manufacturer, and others built at Indian shipyards like Mazagon Docks Ltd external link (MDL) in Mumbai, or Garden Reach Shipyard Engineers external link (GRSE) in Kolkata. On the other hand, in 2006 Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta specifically referred to force modernization problems stemming from both constraints on defense budgets, and Indian shipyards’ record of slow delivery. He added that:

“It is not necessary that we will take this route [of using MDL or Garden Reach], adding that the other Indian shipyards may step up warship production to meet the projected force levels.”

That multi-shipyard option would disappear, and new complications would be introduced, if these ships use modular construction. That approach would involve a series of 300-tonne ship “blocks” that are fully equipped, and must fit together so precisely that pipes, wiring, and other components all align exactly when they’re joined. MDL and GRSE are the only shipyards with the depth of experience to pull that off – but neither has ever used modular construction.Which leads to India’s final option: build some of these ships at foreign shipyards, as the government is doing with its July 2006 “Improved Krivak class” frigate order. The Navy would prefer to have MDL and/or GRSE workers learn by working at a foreign shipyard with experience in modular construction, then bring those important skills back to India to build additional ships. The alternative would involve trying to learn a completely new shipbuilding method, while trying to build important Navy ships, and having the Navy foot the bill for any mistakes.Based on past history, and the experience of other countries, India’s Director of Naval Design Rear Adm. Badhwar is clever to be cautious. Mistakes using the new modular method would be extremely expensive to fix. The level of rework required could easily turn the Indian shipyards’ purported 100% cost advantage into a deficit, while creating project delays that would extend for months – and might even be measured in years.Despite these risks, it appears that India’s government intends to move forward with a dual-build strategy at MDL at GRSE, using modular construction, without any work or co-build efforts performed in foreign shipyards. 

COUNTERMEASURES AND SENSORS :-

These frigates are mounted with MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar, an air search radar, HUMSA (hull-mounted sonar array) and ATAS / Thales Sintra towed array systems, BEL Aparna fire control radar and BEL Ajanta weapons control radar to counter attack the enemy.

WEAPONS AND PROPULSION SYSTEM :-

Shivalik is fitted with a mix of indigenous Russian, Indian, and Western weaponry and sensor systems. The weaponry systems include the Russian Shtil surface-to-air missile systems, Klub anti-ship cruise missiles, and Israeli Barak-I missile defence system.The Satpura frigate has weaponry worth INR1bn including vertical-launch missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-submarine systems."Shivalik is fitted with a mix of indigenous Russian, Indian, and Western weaponry and sensor systems."Shivalik Class frigates are driven by combined diesel and gas (CODOG) propulsion system. Two Pielstick 16 PA6 STC diesel engines deliver 7,600shp at 1,084rpm each and two GE LM2500 gas turbine engines deliver33, 600shp at 3,600rpm.

CARRYING HELICOPTERS :-

The frigates can carry two advanced helicopters. The Shivalik carries two HAL Dhruv or two Sea King mk42B and the Satpura carries two K-31 Kamov helicopters.

ALH DHRUV HELICOPTER

FIRST SQUADRON OF ALH DHRUV ( INAS 322 )

The country's first indigenous chopper, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH -Dhruv), designed, developed, produced and maintained by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to meet the requirement of military and civil operators, today achieved a new milestone of clocking one lakh cumulative flying hours.The landmark has been achieved in the early hours today with the flying of helicopter IA 3104 of 301 Army Aviation Squadron.

ALH DHRUV

"It is a proud moment for us that Dhruv has proved its mettle over the years. India is the sixth nation in the world to have the capability to develop helicopters of this class. Dhruv has been exported to Ecuador, Mauritius, Nepal and Maldives," said HAL Chairman R K Tyagi."One lakh hours flown by the machine is an awesome feat to achieve. It is a dream machine for any pilot", said Lt Col Kapil Agarwal who completed the landmark flying hours. ALH is being operated by Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, BSF and state governments since 2002, said an HAL statement.Currently, more than 132 Dhruv helicopters are serving the Indian Defence Forces. HAL has also built 12 civil variant Dhruv helicopters and they are being used by its customers. The Ecuador Air Force operates six Dhruv helicopters with their President choosing to fly in them.According to Bangalore-headquartered HAL, Dhruv is extremely useful to the Indian defence forces in meeting the arduous tasks in difficult terrains of Himalayas like Siachen Glacier and Kashmir.It played a key role in rescue operations during tsunami (2004), flash floods at Leh (2010), earth quake at Sikkim (2011) and the biggest ever helicopter based rescue operation undertaken by Indian defence forces in flood and rain-hit areas of Uttarakhand recently, the defence PSU said.

ALH Dhruv is an all weather helicopter which can carry 10-16 people at heights of 10,000 feet. It is a multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 tonne weight class and meets Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) specifications, the company said.HAL said Dhruv has demonstrated its capability in long distance flights, vertical climb and in manoeuvring.The advanced technology features incorporated in the design of Dhruv include hinge-less main rotor and bearing-less tail rotor, integrated dynamic system encompassing main gear box and upper controls in a single housing, higher powered Shakti engines, integrated architecture display system (glass cockpit), duplex automatic flight control system and redundancy with twin-engine, dual hydraulics and controls.It also has advanced avionics (communication, navigation & surveillance) and mission systems.

Indian Navy today commissioned the first ALH Dhruv Helicopter Squadron at Southern Command, Kochi. The squadron is named Indian Naval Air Squadron INAS 322 Guardians. Intensive Flying and Trials Unit for Advanced Light Helicopters, IFTU (ALH), had been set up at INS Garuda, Kochi on 20 Feb 03 with the first landing of Advanced Light Helicopter. The unit’s task was to ensure smooth induction of the new aircraft and lay down guidelines for training and operational exploitation of the ALH. On completion of IFTU, two ALH Flights were formed which were later merged to form a single Flight.Addressing  the commissioning ceremony parade, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command. said that in the Navy, Dhruv helicopters has transformed into an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter also used for missions like heliborne operations, and armed patrol with night vision devices. “Such machines in the inventory have become imperative for the Navy given the scenario of low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and coastal security construct,” said the Admiral.

Smt Mona Sinha named the squadron as INAS 322 and unveiled the commissioning plaque. Commander Ravi Sivasankar, the first Commanding Officer of the Squadron recited the invocation and read out the commissioning warrant. The squadron credo is “Search Fearlessly, Rescue Valiantly” signifying their primary role of SAR.Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command under whose administrative control INAS 322 would function, in his address said that, the versatile aircraft would soon be cleared for night SAR role, one of the few helicopters in the world to have that capability over sea. He also expressed satisfaction that the ALH would beef up the coast security architecture. 

COCKPIT :-

The aircraft is equipped with a SFIM INC. four-axis automatic flight control system. The cockpit section of the fuselage is of Kevlar and carbon-fibre construction and is fitted with crashworthy seats. The navigation suite includes a global positioning system, a Doppler navigation system, distance measuring equipment, a true air speed indicator, automatic direction finder, a heading reference system, radio altimeter, VHF omnidirectional ranger and instrument landing system (VOR/ILS) and marker beacons.The communications suite includes HF, UHF, and VHF radio communications.

TWIN ENGINES :-

The helicopter has a twin-engine configuration allowing continued flight virtually throughout the flight envelope. The prototype helicopter is fitted with two Turbomeca TM 333-2C or 2B2 engines rated at 740kW take-off power. A more powerful engine for the Dhruv, the Shakti (which carries the French name Ardiden 1H) rated at 900kW was developed under a cooperative agreement between HAL and Turbomeca and will be manufactured at Bangalore. Avio was selected to supply integrated dynamic systems (IDS) for the Shakti engine.

LANDING GEAR :-

ALH  DHRUV  of army & airforce is equipped with non-retractable metal skid landing gear. All variants of the helicopter are fitted with a tail skid to protect the tail rotor in tail-down landings.