ICG Air Enclave, Porbandar held a event to celebrate its acquisition of an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III squadron today. This is a major development in strengthening the Coast Guard Region North West. Made-in-India ALH MK III helicopters, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, include advanced radar and electro-optical sensors, as well as shakti engines. They also have full glass cockpits that give an all-round view and high-intensity searchlights.
These features will help the ICG officials to take on maritime reconnaissance mission as well as conduct search and rescues at the same time. This can be done even from ships during daylight hours or at night. The aircraft has the capability to switch from an offensive platform with a heavy machine gun to a benign one with a Medical Intensive Care Unit and facilitate the transfer of critically ill patients.
The commissioning of this squadron marks a huge step towards self-reliance in the field of Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime surveillance, in line with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
The occasion was graced by various military and civil dignitaries based in Porbandar and belonging to other areas of Gujarat. Additionally, the commissioning of ALH MK-III Squadron at Porbandar will give a major fillip to the abilities of the Indian Coast Guard in the security-sensitive Gujarat region.
In total, Indian Coast Guard has thirteen ALH MK-III aircraft, of which four will be in Porbandar. Since induction, the squadron has flown over 1200 hours and conducted numerous operational missions, including the maiden night search and rescue mission off the Diu coast.
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