Indian Coast Guard’s First Advanced Light Helicopter Squadron Commissioned
Bhubaneswar, April 10: In a major boost to India’s maritime security, Indian Coast Guard’s first Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III squadron was commissioned here on Sunday.
Director-General, Indian Coast Guard, VS Pathania commissioned the 830 Sqn (CG) at ICG Air Enclave, Bhubaneshwar.
Various civil and military dignitaries based in Bhubaneshwar and the adjoining region were present. The commissioning of the squadron denotes a tremendous leap towards self-reliance in the field of search and rescue (SAR) and long-range maritime surveillance, in line with the government’s push towards “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
ALH MK III helicopters feature an array of state-of-the-art sensors, which add up to the maritime prowess of the Indian Coast Guard at sea. These helicopters have powerful engines, full glass cockpit, high-intensity searchlight, traffic alert and collision avoidance system, advanced communication systems, automatic identification system, search-and-rescue homer and automatic flight control system.
The helicopter is fitted with modern surveillance radar/ electro-optical equipment, which enables them to undertake the role of long-range maritime reconnaissance, in addition to providing long-range search and rescue, both by day and night.
The helicopter is provided with a heavy machine gun to undertake constabulary missions at sea and a also a removable Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) to facilitate critically ill patients. Out of 16 ALH MK-III aircraft, 12 have been inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned at Bhubaneswar, covering the entire coast of West Bengal and Orissa under their surveillance efforts.
Since induction, the squadron has flown over 1200 hours and conducted numerous operational missions. The 830 Sqn (CG) is commanded by Commandant Anurup Singh and manned by 11 Officers and 46 men.
