The Indian Navy has acquired kits to turn its Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) into air ambulances that have ICU facilities on board.

The Medical ICU or MICU has two sets of defibrillators, multipara monitors, ventilator, oxygen support as well as infusion and syringe pumps.

It also has a suction system to clear secretions in the mouth or airway of the patient. The system can be operated on aircraft power supply and also has a battery back-up of four hours.

The equipment can be installed in two-three hours to convert the aircraft into an air ambulance. This is the first of eight MICU sets to be delivered to the Indian Navy by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Earlier this year, HAL had handed over three ALH Mk III to Indian Navy and two ALHs to Indian Coast Guard as part of a contract for 16 ALHs.

The choppers  were handed over by Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, R Madhavan to Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh and Director General Coast Guard Shri K Natarajan, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 5.  

The ALH has clogged close to 3,00,000 cumulative flight hours and proven its mettle in versatile operations. The ALH Mk III is fitted with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and powerful Shakti engine.