Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has completed its inaugural flight of Dhruv New Generation (NG) Helicopter, marking HAL’s firm entry into the civil aviation helicopter sector.
The flight was flagged off by Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation. Commenting on the inaugural, Naidu said, “This flight marks an important milestone in Indian aviation. I can see the sankalp of a Viksit Bharat taking wings. HAL has successfully conducted the inaugural flight within a year of showcasing the demo. Dhruv NG has emerged as a platform for several operators. Make in India is now a seal of global quality.”
D K Sunil, CMD, HAL, Maneesh Kumar, JDG, DGCA, Sanjeev Razdan, CMD, Pawan Hans Ltd and senior HAL officials at Helicopter Division, Bengaluru, were also present. Dr D K Sunil, CMD, HAL, said, “Dhruv ‘New Gen’ helicopter is the cornerstone of HAL’s civil expansion. The Dhruv Mk 1 Civil platform has already clocked over 24,000 hours and has been specifically upgraded to meet the rigorous demands of the global civil aviation market.”
indigenous production
During the event, HAL also received the Certification of ‘Indigenous manufacturing of Shakti Civil Engine’ from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This is the first time that an aero engine has been certified by DGCA for indigenous production.
Designed and manufactured by HAL, the Dhruv NG is a sophisticated 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter engineered to master demanding requirements of the Indian terrain.
Equipped with twin Shakti 1H1C engines, the helicopter features a world-class, civil-certified Glass Cockpit (compliant to AS4 requirements) and a modern avionics suite for superior situational awareness. To enhance safety and reliability, Dhruv NG incorporates crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a proven twin-engine configuration for high redundancy. The advanced vibration control systems ensure a smooth ride, tailored for VIP and medical transport, said the company.