Why Are ALH Dhruv and Tejas Absent from Republic Day Flypast

India’s Republic Day flypast, a spectacle of precision and power that showcases the nation’s military and technological prowess, will see a major change this year.

Two iconic symbols of India’s indigenous defense capabilities, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, will not be part of the aerial display.

Grounding of ALH Dhruv Fleet

This unexpected shift marks a rare absence of these celebrated aircraft, with their usual presence having become a hallmark of the parade for over a decade. The ALH Dhruv, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been temporarily grounded following a precautionary protocol.

This comes in the wake of a crash involving an Indian Coast Guard ALH at Porbandar, Gujarat, on January 5. The grounding affects all 330 helicopters in the fleet, operated by the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.

Wing Commander Jaideep Singh, Indian Air Force PRO, stated, “The ALH Dhruv will not be part of the flypast as the entire fleet of 330 helicopters across the armed forces has been grounded.” The grounding is part of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that mandates thorough inspections of all machines to ensure safety before they return to service.

In the absence of the ALH, older models such as the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters stepped in to maintain the aerial component of the celebrations. While they filled the void, the absence of the ALH Dhruv—a symbol of India’s aerospace engineering capabilities—was keenly felt.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Opted Out

Another notable absentee from this year’s flypast is the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to exclude all single-engine aircraft from the Republic Day parade. While no specific incident has been cited for this decision, it aligns with the IAF’s evolving protocols for such high-profile events.

The LCA Tejas, a testament to India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing, has been a regular participant in the Republic Day flypast. Its absence marks a significant departure from tradition.