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Indigenously designed, developed, built and weaponised version of advanced light helicopter (ALH) — “Rudra” — will make its debut at the Republic Day parade. The helicopter produced by the Defence Ministry owned public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is being used by the Army since February 2013.
The HAL is to produce 76 of these helicopters of which 60 are for the Indian Army’s Strike Corps formations — three of them headquartered at Mathura, Ambala and Bhopal. Armed helicopters fly in coordination with ground-based tank regiments. HAL handed over the first two Rudra helicopters to the Army’s Aviation wing in Bangalore in 2013 and since then more machines have been added.
Rudra is equipped with a mix of weapons providing it with the capability to search and destroy any target. It carries a 20mm automatic cannon, which can fire at a rate of 750 rounds per minute with an effective range of 2,000 metres.
The stub-wings of Rudra can be fitted with up to eight Helina (helicopter-launched Nag) anti-tank guided missiles, four MBDA mistral short-range air-to-air missiles or four rocket pods for 70mm rockets. The helicopter is equipped with Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS), radar warning receiver, IR jammer, flare and chaff dispenser. Pilots have a helmet-mounted sight and fixed sight facilitating firing of the onboard weapons. Future upgrades will include infra-red jammer, obstacle avoidance system for the Army version of the helicopter and Nuclear Biological and Chemical sensors.
The helicopter is powered by French origin Turbomeca engines and has a maximum speed of 270 kmph with flying ceiling of 20,000 feet. Another first this time will be a covered bulletproof enclosure — that will have a roof. Last year, the dignitaries sat through rain.
French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest. The Army’s dog squad used as sniffers and explosive detectors will also figure in the parade. It will be after 27 years that the dogs will be part of the parade. Also plagued by monotony and security concerns of protecting a large number of high-risk individuals, this year’s parade will be shorter by 25 minutes (of 90 minutes).
