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The Indian Navy has commissioned the first Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) squadron here today. Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command commissioned the first ALH (Dhruv) squadron at INS Garuda, at the Southern Naval Command. Dhruv is the first indigenously-designed and manufactured helicopter at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The squadron would have the name Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 322. Addressing the commissioning ceremony parade, Vice Admiral Sinha said that in the Navy, Dhruv helicopters have transformed into an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter which is also used for missions like heli-borne operations and armed patrol with night vision devices.
Such machines have become imperative for the Navy given the scenario of low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and coastal security construct.
