Indian Army Orders Fleet-Wide Inspection of Dhruv ALH Helicopters After Mid-Flight Mechanical Failure

The Indian Army has launched a comprehensive inspection of its Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet following a critical tail drive shaft (TDS) failure during a mid-flight operation on September 4, 2025. The incident involved helicopter IA-1134, which suffered a TDS malfunction, raising serious flight safety concerns.

In response, the Directorate General of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers (Aviation) has mandated a one-time, fleet-wide inspection across all ALH units operated by the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The inspections will focus on TDS bearings, elastomeric bushes, tail boom cracks, and bracket fasteners (rivets), using magnified visual checks and thorough scrutiny to ensure aircraft airworthiness.

This development comes just months after the ALH fleet was recertified in May 2025, following extensive safety checks prompted by a tragic January 2025 crash in Porbandar linked to a swashplate fracture. While the Army and Air Force ALHs resumed operations, the Navy and Coast Guard helicopters remain grounded, awaiting resolution of maritime-specific defects.

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been conducting extensive maritime trials to address recurring issues and ensure their helicopters are fully operational for naval missions. Meanwhile, the Army has requested Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to expedite the root cause analysis of the IA-1134 failure.

The fleet-wide inspection underscores the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to highest safety standards and operational readiness, highlighting the importance of the Dhruv ALH fleet in a range of operational missions.