India’s Helicopter Fleet Crisis: A Looming Threat to Military Readiness
India’s armed forces are grappling with a growing aviation crisis as nearly 330 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) ‘Dhruv’ remain grounded, following a fatal crash in January 2025. This has severely impacted the army’s ability to carry out critical forward area supply missions, reconnaissance operations, and rescue efforts—posing significant challenges to national security.
Crippled Air Mobility: What’s Grounded and Why
The Dhruv helicopters, once considered the backbone of India’s aerial military operations, have been non-operational for over three months. These helicopters are extensively used by the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, especially along the borders with China and Pakistan.
The crisis began on January 5, 2025, when a Dhruv helicopter operated by the Indian Coast Guard crashed near Porbandar, Gujarat, killing two pilots and one aircrew diver. The preliminary investigation pointed to a swashplate fracture, which led to the loss of control mid-air.
Worryingly, similar signs of material failure have been discovered in other helicopters in the Dhruv fleet, prompting a blanket grounding.
Dependency on Dhruv: A Look at the Numbers
The Indian Army, with its 1.15 million personnel, is the most affected. It relies heavily on more than 180 ALHs, including 60 weaponized variants known as ‘Rudra’. The Indian Air Force operates 75 Dhruvs, the Navy has 24, and the Coast Guard has 19.
In the fiscal year 2023–24 alone, the Army logged nearly 40,000 flight hours using these helicopters. Their sudden grounding has paralyzed essential military logistics, especially in high-altitude and forward areas.
Legacy Fleets in Worse Shape: Chetak and Cheetah Concerns
Even before the Dhruvs were grounded, India’s military was battling another challenge — the aging fleets of single-engine Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. These vintage choppers, many of which date back to the 1970s and 80s, have been involved in frequent crashes and mechanical failures.
These platforms are still in use due to a lack of immediate replacements, putting the lives of pilots and troops at risk.
Impact on Training and Operational Readiness
The crisis has had a domino effect. With Dhruvs grounded, pilot proficiency is deteriorating, as they are limited to simulators for now. A senior official told The Times of India, “All military operations are suffering. Flying skills are perishable, and this long a gap impacts readiness.”
A Temporary Fix: Renting Civilian Helicopters
In a desperate bid to fill the gap, the Indian Army has started renting civilian helicopters. Particularly in the Northern and Central Commands, this initiative began in November 2024 to maintain operational continuity.
While this is a practical interim solution, civilian helicopters lack the robust design and features required for high-altitude or combat missions, limiting their effectiveness.
HAL and IISc Step In: A Glimmer of Hope?
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer of Dhruv helicopters, has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to investigate the root cause of the swashplate failures. A report is expected by the end of April 2025.
Officials estimate that it could take another three months before the fleet is cleared for flying again, depending on the report’s findings and rectification work.
The Bigger Picture: A Call for Reform
This crisis underscores the urgent need for:
Fleet modernization to replace aging Chetaks and Cheetahs.
Enhanced quality control in indigenous defense manufacturing.
Investment in pilot training and safety infrastructure.
Faster response mechanisms to technical faults and systemic failures.
With India’s strategic geography and tense border dynamics, delays in resolving this crisis could have long-term implications on operational preparedness.
