Hyderabad: On the night of September 28, 2016, when the elite commandos of the Indian Army destroyed terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), they were backed by the indigenous Dhruv helicopter.
The special forces commandos were airdropped by the Dhruv copters at the Line of Control, from where the troops crossed over to the PoK side.
The avionics systems of the Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) were manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited in the city.
A reliable source from HAL said the aircraft maker has an avionics division based in the city. The Strategic Electronics Research & Design Centre of HAL, which is a separate design centre, developed a specialised 'Flight Test Group' with expertise in trial installation of avionics systems on fixed and rotary wings of combat and transport aircraft.
“This group has achieved success in installing latest avionics systems on the MiG-21 series, MiG-23, MiG-27M, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, HS-748 aircraft and on the advanced light helicopters (Dhruv), Chetak and Cheetah,” the source said.
“The helicopters used in the surgical strikes had avionics designed and manufactured from HAL Hyderabad. The aircraft was assembled in different locations,” he said.
