The Dhruv helicopter, built by HAL in India and sometimes known as the ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) has been grounded. This move applies to the majority, and possiby the whole fleet, but certainly including the Indian Army, Coast Guard and Navy, who between them operate over 250 examples out of a total production to date of around 350.

The Indian Navy had one example put down in the sea off Mumbai on 8th March after a reported “loss of power”. Emergency floats were deployed and the aircraft remained upright as seen below. The helicopter is seen sitting low in the water and it is thus likely that it will be withdrawn from use due to the effects of salt water. None of the three occupants were injured.

An Advanced HAL Dhruv Helicopter of the Indian Navy made an emergency landing due to the sudden loss of power.

The special emergency landing system using floats worked perfectly and the three crew members managed to safely exit the helicopter.#helicopter #aviation #emergency pic.twitter.com/pvkxqozgxh

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) March 9, 2023

On 26th March, a Coast Guard example crashed at Cochin Airport on a post maintenance test flight after the pilot found the controls unresponsive. One of the three occupants suffered minor injuries

#BIG : An ALH #Dhruv Mk III helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard crashed landed while the Pilots were testing the chopper after it was grounded recently on 8th Mar.

The chopper was at around 25 ft height when it had to make a Forced landing at Cochin Airport. #HAL #ALHDhruvMk3 pic.twitter.com/QY1N2Zc4LJ

— Defence Nation (@Defence_Nation) March 26, 2023

Finally, on 4th May, an Indian Army Aviation example on an operational mission made a precautionary landing on the banks of Marua river in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir province. The helicopter suffered irreparable damage and two of the three occupants were injured and taken to hospital. The third succumbed to his injuries.

An Army ALH Dhruv Helicopter crashed near Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.
03 Army personnel on board, including the pilot and co-pilot, were rescued in an injured condition and airlifted to hospital.
More details awaited pic.twitter.com/an5iCM3xi9

— OSINT J&K (@OSINTJK) May 4, 2023