Indian Coast Guard Commissions Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III Squadron

Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III squadron, 840 Sqn (CG), was commissioned in Chennai on Wednesday.

Indian Coast Guard commissioned Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-III squadron in the Coast Guard Region East, 840 Sqn (CG), which will give a major boost further strengthening the coast guard.

The commissioning of 840 Sqn (CG) is indicative of the leap towards self-reliance in the field of helicopter manufacturing, in line with the government's vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

It will provide a major fillip to the abilities of the Indian Coast Guard in the security-sensitive waters off Tamil Nadu and Andhra region.

According to the defence ministry statement, the ALH Mk-III helicopters, indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), feature state-of-the-art equipment including advanced RADAR as well as Electro optical sensors, Shakti engines, full glass cockpit, high-intensity searchlight, advanced communication systems, automatic identification system as well as search-and-rescue homer. This feature enables the helicopter to undertake maritime reconnaissance and carry out search and rescue at extended ranges while operating from ships, both day and night.

The statement said that the aircraft can switch roles from an offensive platform with a heavy machine gun to that of a benign one carrying a Medical Intensive Care Unit to facilitate the transfer of critically ill patients. 

A total of 16 ALH Mk-III aircraft have been inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned in Chennai. Since induction, the squadron has flown over 430 hours and conducted numerous operational missions.