Indian Navy ALH Detachment at Sri Lanka

As part of furthering Government of India’s vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region SAGAR and 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the Indian Navy imparted a week-long training to personnel of Sri Lanka Navy SLN and Air Force SLAF on shipborne helicopter operations. The training capsule was conducted on the ALH MK III (MR) helicopter, which is Made in India. The Indian Navy crew comprising a Qualified Flying Instructor, Cdr Lokesh Mathur, and a Test Pilot, Cdr Asoom Sharma, operated from SLAF Base, Katunayake, provided SLAF pilots hands-on flying experience and demonstrated to them the versatility of the helicopter. Training sessions for Sri Lanka Navy Ship Sayurala crew and SLAF pilots was also undertaken to integrate the ALH helicopter with the SLN warship, thus strengthening interoperability between the two navies.