The Indian Navy briefed a high-power delegation from the Philippines on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in Manilla. The Navy’s presentation centered around the technical specifications, operational features and employment of the helicopter in the Filipino Navy, on board the fleet tanker INS Shakti.
The Filipino delegation consisting of officials from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Department of National Defence were also given a demonstration of the capabilities of the ALH, to include its multiple roles ranging from maritime surveillance, search and rescue to medical evacuation, among others.
This is not the first time that forces from the Philippines have shown interest in the Dhruv. In August last year, the visiting chief of the island nation’s Coast Guard, was given a ‘Customer Demonstration Flight’ by our Coast Guard in Goa. As per HAL’s 58th Annual Report, HAL received queries from the Philippines Coast Guard for seven Dhruvs and eight Dornier-228 aircraft via lines of credit.
In April 2022, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that led to reports of sale of ALH Dhruv and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The Filipino govt had dropped Tejas from consideration in July of that year, but HAL pitched the aircraft again this time, equipped with the BrahMos NG missile as a naval strike fighter.
Philippines is not new to Indian weapons; the nation was the first export customer of the best in its class BrahMos missile and could perhaps be the first to procure the best in their class Tejas and Dhruv as the country seeks to modernise its forces with the Chinese threat in view. Both nations stake claims to islands and shoals in the South China Sea and flare-ups are a regular affair.
INS Shakti along with destroyer INS Delhi and corvette INS Kiltan are taking part in an exercise as part of their deployment to the South China Sea. The three ships have also dropped anchor at Singapore and Malaysia during the current deployment.
Dhruv Yadav
