HAL to supply Dhruv helicopter to Mauritius
India’s defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will supply a single Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to Mauritius Police Force.
HAL will deliver an improved Dhruv ALH Mk III helicopter, which features an all-glass cockpit, an integrated architecture display and automatic flight control systems.
The ALH Dhruv MKIII is the improved version equipped with Shakti-1H engines, new electronic warfare (EW) suite and warning systems, automatic chaff and flare dispensers, and improved vibration control system.
India and Mauritius have a long history of defence collaboration, a relationship which has culminated into multiple aircraft delivery either on lease or procured.
Last year, India transferred a HAL-produced Dornier 228 turboprop aircraft to the Mauritius Coast Guard, the maritime branch of the police.
Mauritius also received a $100 million fund from India to procure needed security equipment for its Coast Guard. Mauritius will utilize the funds to procure military equipment, including aircraft and patrol boats, from Indian defence equipment manufacturers.
In November 2018, India retrofitted Mauritius Coast Guard Maritime Air Squadron HAL Do-228 aircraft with 7.62 mm machine gun pods to combat criminal activities.
