Content area
Full Text
The Indian Army will shortly begin retiring its ageing fleet of Chetak (SA 316B Alouette III) and Cheetah (SA 315B Lama) helicopters after a string of recent accidents. These light utility helicopters are based on an almost 50 year-old design built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under licence from Aerospatiale of France. Initially the Army will replace about 40 Cheetah/Chetaks with the indigenously designed and built Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), the remaining force to be replaced and augmented by Russian-origin Kamov Ka-226Ts, sixty of which will initially be procured directly from Russia in flyaway condition and the remaining 140 licence-built by HAL under a joint venture between HAL, Russian Helicopters and Rosboronexport.