Indian Army's Night Ops Take Flight: High-Altitude Success with Indigenous Helicopters

The Indian Army successfully conducts night operations in Ladakh using Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv, manufactured by HAL. Troops face extreme weather and challenging terrain during these missions, requiring rigorous coordination and thorough inspections to ensure safety and operational readiness.

Indian Army troops stationed in Ladakh have proven their capability to execute night operations in high-altitude regions utilizing Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv. These helicopters, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), are indispensable for the Army's missions in Ladakh's harsh weather and rugged terrain.

Havinder Singh, responsible for maintaining the helicopter fleet, spoke to ANI about the critical processes involved. 'My job is to ensure that all technicians and supervisors under me receive continuous training on this helicopter,' Singh explained. He emphasized the importance of coordinating with multiple agencies, including HAL and logistics partners, to keep the helicopters operational. 'The most crucial aspect here is flight safety. There is no compromise on that,' Singh added.

Singh also addressed the challenges of preparing helicopters for night operations, especially during winter months when temperatures plunge to minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Celsius. 'Technicians can only work on inspections for short intervals before needing to warm up,' he said. Major Ayush Devliyal, a technical supervisor, underscored the meticulous inspections required before a helicopter can fly. 'Every system is checked thoroughly, and the aircraft is certified by an engineering officer before being cleared for flight,' he noted.

Pilots tasked with operating in these adverse conditions also face significant hurdles, particularly at night. Major Amarendra, who pilots a Cheetah helicopter, discussed the complexities involved. 'Night flying is more challenging than day flying as depth perception is reduced, making us rely heavily on instruments,' he stated. 'We also have to be mindful of strong and turbulent winds,' Amarendra added. The success of the Indian Army's operations in Ladakh hinges on seamless coordination between technical teams and pilots, especially during night missions where poor visibility and extreme weather conditions pose serious challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)