Indian Coast Guard to acquire 30 advanced copters soon
The ICG which has the mandate to save lives at sea as well as maintain a vigil along the country's maritime borders and exclusive economic zones is on the cusp of signing the dotted line in two separate cases for helicopter acquisition.
In Short
- ICG asked govt to arm it with more upgraded helicopters.
- 30 'never used before' copters will soon be in ICG's kitty.
- The cost for each helicopter is Rs 90 crore.
When terrorists struck Mumbai in the later hours of November 26, 2008, a dumbfounded security set up wandered around seeking answers about the infiltration of the 10 Pakistani gunmen. It was a Coast Guard Chetak helicopter which flew over Mumbai's skyline to track down the now- infamous fishing vessel Kuber which was hijacked and used as a means of entry.
MORE HELICOPTERS TO MONITOR SEAS
Back then, the planners in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) asked the government to arm it with more helicopters which could perform better. They said it would enhance their capabilities to monitor the seas manifold. Nothing came of it.
COAST GUARD TO GET MORE COPTERS
If things go as planned, the Coast Guard looks set to ride the air with newer, more powerful and versatile helicopters. The ICG which has the mandate to save lives at sea as well as maintain a vigil along the country's maritime borders and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) is on the cusp of signing the dotted line in two separate cases for helicopter acquisition.
Cases to procure at least 30 advanced helicopters of the type never been used before have fructified near-simultaneously for the ICG, revealed a top Ministry of Defence (MoD) officer who did not wish to identify himself.
HELICOPTER SPECS
The first involves procuring 16 selfmade Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a MoD Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).
While the ICG had procured four these copters earlier as well, they were Mk I version and this time they are looking at an advanced MkIII version which promises a glass cockpit, enhanced performance, better interior among other things.
Powered by Shakti engine (Indian name for Ardiden 1H1 engine co-developed by HAL and French firm Turbomeca), the 5.5 ton aircraft can do speeds up to 300 kmph.
Feedback received from those who've flown the helicopter has been overwhelmingly positive. A source revealed that the cost is likely to be in the range of Rs 90 crore a piece.
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