The Indian Army will induct the first attack version of the indigenously built advanced light helicopter (ALH) Rudra into the army aviation corps this year, defence officials have said.

Rudra is a ‘heavily loaded’ variant of the ALH Dhruv helicopter and is armed with an array of guns, rocket pods, and air-to-air and anti-tank guided missiles.

The weaponised helicopter is expected to boost the army’s aerial firepower capabilities and is part of its modernisation and capability development efforts.

Press Trust of India has reported defence officials as saying that the weaponised aerial platform will enable the army field commanders to use decisive combat power anywhere in the battlefield.