HAL rejects ‘malicious’ media coverage after Advanced Light Helicopter crash

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has issued a sharp rebuttal to what it described as a wave of “speculative stories with malicious intentions” published in the aftermath of the Indian Coast Guard's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) crash in Gujarat earlier this year.

In a strongly worded statement, the defense public sector undertaking slammed certain sections of the media and independent commentators for allegedly spreading misinformation about its role and performance, without seeking the company’s perspective.

“Ever since the unfortunate ALH accident involving the Indian Coast Guard in January, speculative stories with malicious intentions have been written and circulated across media platforms,” HAL said, adding that such narratives have been authored by “so-called defense analysts, former pilots, ex-Defense officers and arm-chair critics.”

It contended that these reports are riddled with inaccuracies and outdated references, failing to account for critical issues that the company claims to have already addressed in coordination with its customers.

The ALH Dhruv MK-III helicopter, operated by the Indian Coast Guard, crashed during a routine training sortie while attempting to land at Porbandar airport. The tragic incident claimed the lives of three crew members, including two pilots and one aircrew member. A Board of Inquiry was ordered to investigate the crash.

Citing the sensitive nature of defense equipment and operations, HAL noted it is not always in a position to publicly address every allegation or report. “Nonetheless, we want to assure all stakeholders, including the Indian Air Force and other partners that HAL continues to work closely with its customers to resolve critical issues in these complex platforms.”

The PSU emphasized that the ongoing circulation of speculative and one-sided stories could potentially harm its stakeholders and the wider defense ecosystem. “This statement is being issued to safeguard the interests of our stakeholders from being misled by such unwarranted narratives,” the release concluded.