Coast Guard gives LoI for 9 more ALH helicopters from HAL

The Coast Guard signed a contract with HAL for the supply of 16 ALH Mk III in March 2017. The ALH Mk III is indigenously designed, developed and produced by Bengaluru-headquartered HAL.

Bengaluru: The Indian Coast Guard (CG) has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for nine more Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs). The HAL on Tuesday handed over the last of the 16 ALHs (Mk-III, Maritime role) contracted with the CG at a programme here.

"We are proud to be associated with HAL and happy to issue a Letter of Intent for nine more helicopters," DG Coast Guard V S Pathania was quoted as saying in a HAL statement. "Despite COVID-19, HAL delivered all the helicopters in the shortest time with seamless production activities and this allows us to strengthen India's maritime security, he said. The CG signed a contract with HAL for the supply of 16 ALH Mk III in March 2017.

ALH Mk III is indigenously designed, developed and produced by Bengaluru-headquartered HAL. The company has so far produced more than 330 ALHs, a helicopter which has logged more than 3.74 lakhs of flying hours, it said. (PTI)