Coast Guard to include 16 light copters in its fleet

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is all set to include 16 advanced light helicopters in its fleet by July 2019. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be delivering these 16 advanced light helicopters to the Indian Coast Guard by July. Indian Coast Guard will be using these light helicopters to strengthen its patrolling capabilities along the nation’s coastline. Two of these copters are expected to be admitted into the North East Region for carrying out patrolling over the North Bay of Bengal region. A senior ICG official said, “The ICG has long been waiting to induct the ALH for its patrolling operations. These helicopters are finally going to be inducted into the force, this July. Out of these 16 ALH, a total of four helicopters will be inducted for the North East Region of the ICG that includes Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. Two of the helicopters will either be based out of Kolkata or Bhubaneshwar, depending on the availability of space. However, these two ALHs that will be inducted into the NE Region will help in patrolling the North Bay of Bengal region”. Indian Coast Guard is also setting up two new radar stations in the North-East Region for strengthening its network.