Bengaluru June 28 (IANS) The first green Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Mark-III made by state-run HAL for the Indian Coast Guard had a maiden ground run the defence PSU said on Thursday.
"The chopper earmarked for the Coast Guard had a maiden ground run with basic systems installed on board " said the city-based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in a statement here.
The prototype was handed over to HAL s rotary wing research and development centre a design house for integration and certification of 19 new systems.
"Indian Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh received the copter s contract documents from our Chairman T. Suvarna Raju on the occasion " said the statement.
The Coast Guard in March 2017 placed an order with HAL to deliver 16 Dhruvs at a cost of Rs 5 126 crore in five years to boost its low intensity maritime operations and coast security capabilities.
"The contract includes performance-based logistics support to the choppers for five years after the delivery. The Dhruv are deployed for search and rescue casualty evacuation armed patrol coastal surveillance and VIP movement " said Raju.
The Coast Guard has been using the ALH since 2002 with an operational squadron based at its air enclave in neighbouring Goa.
"The Coast Guard s order for 19 ALHs reflects its trust in our capabilities and gives an impetus to the government s Make in India campaign " added Raju.
The certified helicopter deliveries will commence from 2020.
"The logistics support is emerging as a preferred acquisition strategy for the defence acquisition and asset management as it ensures the product uptime availability to the customer while the responsibility gets transferred to the supplier " said the statement.

--IANS fb/him/