To Counter China, India To Deploy A Squadron Of Armed Dhruv Helicopters In The North East

Just a week after a helicopter operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army violated Indian airspace, the Indian Army has decided to deploy a squadron of its weaponised Dhruv helicopters in the North East. This fleet of advanced light helicopters, to be stationed in Assam’s Likabali town, will be the Army’s first armed helicopter unit in the region.

Comprising 10 multi-role Dhruv Mk-IV helicopters, the fleet will be functional in the region in the next two to three months, Hindustan Times has reported, citing army sources speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Dhruv helicopters are equipped with Anti-Resonance Vibration Isolation systems to isolate vibrations developed by the main rotor and from the fuselage, making detection difficult. They are also equipped with air-to-air missiles, 70 mm rockets and 20 mm turret guns. They have four weapon stations in the nose area. A weaponised version of the Dhruv helicopter is also called Rudra.

India has in recent years stepped up efforts to strengthen its defences in the North East through development of modern infrastructure and deployment of war machines. A 1500-km proposed highway is being constructed along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in entirety. The Indian Air Force has operationalised multiple advance landing grounds in the region and the Army is raising a new mountain corps at the cost of Rs 40,000 crore.