HAL Clarifies: Routine Safety Check Misinterpreted as ALH Dhruv Defect; Operations Remain Sound

On 7 September 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) issued a clarification after a newspaper reported about a possible defect in the Tail Drive Shaft (TDS) of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet.

HAL described the newspaper article of 6 September 2025 as a “one-sided view with misleading commentary.” The company explained that the One-Time Check (OTC) ordered by the Indian Army is a routine safety practice that follows the detection of an anomaly in any aircraft component. It stressed that such measures are standard and do not imply a fundamental flaw in the helicopter.

According to HAL, expert teams have been deployed to work closely with the Army to identify the root cause of the TDS issue. The company further emphasised that maintenance is critical to ensuring safe and reliable flight operations and that all operators must follow maintenance directives strictly.

HAL highlighted the proven record of the ALH Dhruv, which has logged more than 4.5 lakh flying hours over two decades. The fleet has been extensively used across the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and civil operators, and has flown successfully in extreme terrains—from high-altitude Himalayan regions to coastal environments. The helicopters have also played a crucial role in flood rescue missions and casualty evacuation operations, demonstrating their reliability and the trust of the armed forces.

The clarification came after an incident on 4 September 2025, when a TDS bearing mount broke during flight on an Army helicopter, leading the Directorate General of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers (Aviation) to order an immediate OTC across the fleet. Importantly, the helicopters were not grounded, indicating continued confidence in their safety. Earlier this year, the ALH fleet had already been cleared for flying in May after undergoing checks following a separate technical issue.

HAL concluded by urging that media reporting must be accurate and based on comprehensive facts, warning against “erroneous conclusions” that could misrepresent the performance of India’s flagship indigenised helicopter.