New Advanced Light Helicopter Squadron 840 CG inducted in Indian Coast Guard

Tags: Defence

The Indian Coast Guard Region (East) inducted the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III, indigenously developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in Chennai on 20 June.

• The ALH will be the first aircraft of the newly created "840 Squadron" to be stationed at Chennai and the first ALH Mk-III to be deployed in the Coast Guard area east.

• The aircraft was received with a traditional water cannon salute at Coast Guard Air Station, Chennai.

• Coast Guard Zone East Commander Inspector General A.P. Badola welcomed the aircraft and crew.

• Three more ALHs will be inducted into the squadron shortly.

• The aircraft has Beyond the Visual Range Detection using modern radars.

• It is equipped for target neutralization operations using its mounted heavy machine gun.

• The operational area of the squadron would cover the entire eastern sector due to its strategic importance and geographical location.

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

• It is a Government of India owned aerospace and defence company headquartered in Bangalore.

• It was established as Hindustan Aircraft Limited in Bangalore on 23 December 1940 by Walchand Hirachand, who became the chairman of the company.

• It is governed under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence.

• It is presently engaged in the design, manufacture and assembly of aircraft, jet engines, helicopters and their spare parts.

• Its branches are located in Nasik, Korwa, Kanpur, Koraput, Lucknow, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kasaragod.

• The HAL HF-24 Marut fighter-bomber was the first fighter aircraft manufactured in India.

• Indian Coast Guard

• It performs non-military functions.

• Established - 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978

• Operates - under the Ministry of Defence

• Headquarter - in New Delhi

• Jurisdiction - over the territorial waters of India including contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.

• It is responsible for the protection of the marine environment in the maritime regions of India.