Context

  • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has inducted the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK-III, designated CG 875, under Coast Guard Region (West).
  • CG 875 is the first of five ALH MK-III helicopters allotted to the ICG and will be positioned with 831 Squadron (CG) at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
  • Source: AIR (News report on induction of indigenous platform).

About ALH MK-III

  • What it is: The ALH MK-III is an indigenous multi-role helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The ALH family is also known as 'Dhruv', India's first indigenously designed and developed helicopter.
  • Advanced equipment:
  • Advanced radar and electro-optical sensors
  • Shakti engines — developed under a joint venture between HAL and Safran (France)
  • Full glass cockpit
  • High-intensity searchlight
  • Advanced communication systems
  • Automatic Identification System (AIS) for automatic identification/tracking of vessels at sea
  • Search-and-rescue (SAR) homing system
  • Operational role:
  • Maritime reconnaissance, surveillance and search-and-rescue operations over extended ranges
  • Capable of operating from ships during both day and night
  • Multi-role capability:
  • Can switch from an offensive platform equipped with a heavy machine gun to a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) platform fitted with a medical intensive care unit for transporting critically ill patients.

About 831 Squadron (CG), Ratnagiri

  • Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) hosts 831 Squadron (CG), the ICG squadron that operates the ALH MK-III on the west coast.
  • The Coast Guard Region (West) is headquartered at Mumbai and covers the western maritime zone of India, including sensitive offshore installations and major ports.

Significance for India

  • Strengthens maritime domain awareness: Enhances the ICG's ability to detect, identify and respond to threats at sea.
  • Coastal security and EEZ protection: Directly supports surveillance and protection of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
  • Emergency response: Improves search-and-rescue, disaster relief and medical evacuation capabilities, including in offshore and island territories.
  • Indigenisation push: Reinforces Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing and reduces dependence on foreign platforms for critical maritime assets.

Institutional and Legal Background

  • The Indian Coast Guard is a statutory armed force of the Union, constituted under the Coast Guard Act, 1978 (came into force 18 August 1978).
  • It functions under the Ministry of Defence (earlier under the Ministry of Finance till 1978).
  • Its mandate includes:
  • Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals, installations and other structures in maritime zones
  • Protection of fishermen and assistance to mariners in distress
  • Preservation and protection of the maritime environment
  • Prevention and suppression of smuggling
  • Enforcement of maritime zones of India
  • India's maritime zones — territorial waters (12 nm), contiguous zone (24 nm), EEZ (200 nm) and continental shelf — are governed by the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and by UNCLOS, 1982.

Key Takeaways for Prelims

  • Platform: ALH MK-III (indigenous, HAL) — designation CG 875.
  • Unit: 831 Squadron (CG) at Ratnagiri, under Coast Guard Region (West).
  • Numbers: First of five ALH MK-III helicopters allotted.
  • Key systems: Shakti engines, glass cockpit, AIS, electro-optical sensors, SAR homing system.
  • Dual-use: Offensive platform (heavy machine gun) ⇄ MEDEVAC platform (medical ICU).