July 01, 2013: Proving its mettle as a supremely flexible and agile platform for humanitarian operations, the indigenous Dhruv helicopter was deployed with a remarkable degree of confidence by the Army Aviation Corps and Indian Air Force in Uttarakhand. The helicopters, which first saw themselves deployed for evacuation operations in Haryana following the rising level of the Yamuna, have acquitted themselves extremely well in the remotest parts of Uttarakhand. Apart from Dhruv copters already deployed with units, the IAF pitched in with platforms from the Sarang display team too, adding another dimension to the requirement.

Highly agile and already proven in high-altitude operations—making it one of the most versatile copters in its class in the world—the Dhruv played a major role in rapid evacuations from Harsil, Uttarkashi, Gaurikund and other zones. The Dhruvs were also used to insert specialised mountain rescue teams and commandos into areas, especially the forbidding Junglechatti zone and the Hemkund axis, where landing was impossible. An Army Dhruv pilot said, "There was no doubt about the Dhruv's flying attributes, but it has proven itself once again as a very able platform for humanitarian relief and rescue operations. We will need them in greater numbers in the years to come. It is undoubtedly one of the finest helicopters in the world today, and we are very proud it is indigenous."