Navy acquires kits to turn helicopters into state-of-the-art air ambulances

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<strong>The Indian Navy has acquired kits to turn its Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) into air ambulances that have ICU facilities on board.<br />
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The Medical ICU or MICU has two sets of defibrillators, multipara monitors, ventilator, oxygen support as well as infusion and syringe pumps.<br />
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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.<br />
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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).<br />
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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.<br />
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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.  <br />
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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.</p>