DGICG holds acceptance ceremony for Adv. Light Helicopter CG870

Bengaluru: Director General Indian Coast Guard DG VS Pathania, PTM, TM on 15 Nov 22 accepted Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) CG 870, the new inventory in the air arm of ICG. The acceptance ceremony of the helicopter was conducted by HAL, Bengaluru. The ceremony was attended by Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard) Additional Director General KR Suresh PTM, TM, other Indian Coast Guard Officers and HAL dignitaries along with Senior Officers of Tri-Services.

In the past few days, the Indian Coast Guard has augmented the air arm and the acceptance of CG 870 marks the completion of the delivery schedule of helicopters envisioned under the contract which was inked on 29 March 2017. With CG 870 going to join the frontline squadron at Chennai, the Indian Coast Guard would look forward to yet another collaboration with HAL for the production of nine more fully equipped ALH Mk-III helicopters. 

In his address to the august audience of the ceremony, the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard mentioned that “In the past two decades, there has been a paradigm shift in the maritime security apparatus that has pronounced the emphasis on surveillance, intelligence gathering and information sharing amongst the various stakeholders to ensure a swift and effective response to any emerging situation. Indian Coast Guard is a leading stakeholder in maritime security, safety and environmental protection and has envisioned that the expanding responsibilities would entail a robust aviation infrastructure and assets thus we embarked on the creation of four ALH MK- III Squadrons, this mission will complete with CG870 joining the Squadron at Chennai which is expected to be commissioned by this month end”.  The inclusion of ALH MK III in the ICG inventory juncture, when the existing helicopter in service ‘Chetaks’ is on the verge of being phased out, will aid in maintaining as well as enhancing the operational capabilities of ICG.  

Indian Coast Guard is a multifaceted organization, maintaining 24×7 vigil at sea with ever-ready op tempo to perform multi-mission tasks under synergised conditions, both for Surface as well as Air operations. The mission of the Organisation is to protect our ocean and offshore wealth including oil, fish and minerals, assist mariners in distress, safeguard life and property at sea and enforce laws with respect to poaching, smuggling and narcotics. 

The helicopter was manufactured by HAL, which organisation has contributed immensely towards nation-building by indigenously developing an ecosystem for defence production in India and has indeed given impetus to our Government’s vision of an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. 

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